FC Barcelona have confirmed a new plan for Lionel Messi following his decision to move to Inter Miami.
Messi is officially no longer a Paris Saint-Germain player after his contract expired on the weekend, with the 35-year-old having said goodbye to European football despite having been presented an opportunity to stay on the continent by his former employers Barca.
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Although his transfer is hugely anticipated in the United States after choosing Inter Miami as his next club, plans are already being made to give the player a proper farewell ceremony at the Camp Nou.
The Argentine left the Spanish giants in abrupt fashion in August 2021, when he was forced to move on due to the Blaugrana's inability to give him a new contract as promised because of LaLiga's financial fair play regulations.
This was said to have fractured club president Joan Laporta's relationship with the player, but the Spanish chief is believed to have made serious efforts to mend things with the South American.
With the pair understood to have made up, Laporta has now confirmed that Messi will get the send-off he feels he deserves from the Camp Nou.
"We are preparing a super tribute for Leo Messi," he said, according to Barca Universal.
"In the 125th anniversary, when we return to the Spotify Camp Nou, it would be perfect."
The club chief also revealed that Barca are still paying the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner after he agreed to have his salary deferred during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are still paying Leo Messi until 2025. It was an agreement he made with the previous board to defer his salary," Laporta added.
"As of now, it counts towards our salary bill, but it depends.
"With LaLiga's new rules, these indemnities should not count towards our FFP limit."
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Laporta also made it clear he has no qualms with Messi's decision to turn down a return to the Blaugrana.
"I understand why Leo Messi decided to sign for Inter Miami," the executive continued.
"[Lionel's father] Jorge Messi told us that Leo had a difficult time in Paris, and he wanted to play somewhere with less pressure.
"If he signed for us, he'd still feel the same pressure so I understand. I wish him the best."
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