FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has ruled out the possibility of club legend Lionel Messi returning to the Catalan giants, describing the idea as “unrealistic.”

Messi, 38, made a surprise appearance at Camp Nou on Sunday night, telling fans he hoped “one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona’s all-time top scorer left the club in 2021 for Paris Saint-Germain, after financial constraints made it impossible for the club to renew his contract.

Speaking to Catalunya Radio on Wednesday, Laporta said it would be inappropriate to fuel speculation about a potential comeback.

“Out of the utmost respect for Messi, the professionals at the club, Barca, and the Barca club members, I believe that now, to speculate on something unrealistic, nor do I think it is fair, is not appropriate,”
Laporta said.

The Barcelona president, who was also in charge when Messi left the club, maintained that he had “no regrets” about the decision, stressing that “Barca is above everything.”

Despite ruling out a return as a player, Laporta expressed his desire to host a tribute match for Messi at the reconstructed Camp Nou once the stadium fully reopens.

“Things didn’t end the way we would have liked… if, in some way, this tribute can make up for what wasn’t done, I think it would be a good thing,” he said.

“It would be right that he has the best tribute match in the world, and it would be wonderful to have it here, in front of 105,000 fans.”

Laporta described Messi’s visit to Camp Nou as a “spontaneous gesture” that reflected his deep affection for the club.

Messi, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, is currently in Spain with the Argentina national team ahead of a friendly against Angola.