Barcelona, known for its rich football history, is brewing up a grand celebration for its 125th anniversary with a friendly match vs Argentina on a date in 2024 to mark the farewell of Lionel Messi
The latest rumors suggest a potential Lionel Messi return to Camp Nou.
The club is planning a spectacular farewell match for none other than its prodigious son, Lionel Messi. The iconic Spotify Camp Nou, rebuilt in 2019, is expected to witness Messi’s return, not in the familiar Blaugrana colors but as a representative of the Argentina National Team.
Barcelona vs Argentina friendly match and Lionel Messi farewell 2024 schedule, date and venue
Lionel Messi departed the club abruptly in 2021 due to a Bosman trade, a move dictated by the club’s well-documented financial struggles.
In the wake of these challenges, Barcelona has strived to generate revenue through player sales and overseas tours, with the latest strategy involving a match against Argentina as part of their anniversary festivities.
Messi has added to his illustrious career. Winning two Ballon d’Or awards, one for the Copa America triumph in 2021 and another for leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, Messi’s return to Camp Nou is poised to be a historic and emotional event.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙉𝙤𝙪.
𝙁𝘾 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙖 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 2022 𝘼𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙉𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚… pic.twitter.com/x2QL3gFX01
— fcbarcelonacollection.com (@memorabilia1899) November 8, 2023
The proposed match is important not only for Messi but also for Barcelona, marking the opening of the revamped Spotify Camp Nou and the initiation of the Espai Barça development.
The football maestro is rumored to play a half for each team, representing both Barcelona and Argentina, symbolizing the enduring connection between Messi and the club where he spent over fifteen years.
Barcelona, known for its elaborate tributes to legends, is planning an exclusive tifo for Messi, reminiscent of the honor bestowed upon Xavi in 2015.
This time, the gesture is expected to be grander, mirroring the increased capacity of Spotify Camp Nou, set to accommodate 120,000 spectators.
President Joan Laporta, despite the strained relationship with Messi, expressed the board’s desire to have the football maestro present at the celebrations. This reunion is seen as an opportunity to mend the sour terms that accompanied Messi’s departure.
🚨💣| BREAKING: Barcelona can face currently world champions 2022 argentina at Spotify Camp Nou as prat of the club’s 125th centenary celebrations in next year 2024. Messi can once again return home. [@memorabilia1899] #fcblive 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/rL5ZWlxA08
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) November 8, 2023
While it might seem unusual for a club to face a national team, Barcelona has a precedent. In 1999, to celebrate the club’s centenary, Barcelona played an exhibition match against the Brazilian national team, setting the stage for such unconventional yet iconic events.
Barcelona are expected to get Nike to design a special 125th anniversary, with a patch, and possibly a unique design, like the El Clasico special kit from 2021 or the special fourth kits with the Senyera kits featuring red and yellow colors.
While the date of the 2024 match at the Camp Nou isn’t known, Barcelona’s first centenary game was played on April 28, 1999. The Catalans faced Brazil XI at Camp Nou in front of 80,000 fans. Barcelona had the likes of Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola, Xavi, and Patrick Kluivert and on the other hand, Brazil’s golden generation had Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Romario, and Ronaldo Nazario.
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