Inter Miami business director discusses Lionel Messi’s tribute match at Barcelona

Lionel Messi made history once again by sealing his eighth Ballon d’Or title this week, becoming the first MLS player to achieve the feat.

During his speech, the Argentine heaped praise on Barcelona while also touching up on the subject of his potential farewell.

Shortly after that, rumours have erupted in Catalonia surrounding the possibility of Barça holding a farewell game for Messi in the coming future.

Although Messi himself has recently trashed speculation from Gerard Romero, Xavier Asensi, the Inter Miami Business Director, has offered a crucial update on the matter.

Inter Miami’s business director on Messi’s farewell

In a recent media interaction, Asensi confirmed that he had met with Barcelona officials, but the talks between the two clubs have not turned into anything concrete.

“Discussing a farewell match between Barça and Inter Miami for Messi? On Monday morning I met Laporta [in Paris], and I greeted him,” he said (h/t SPORT).

“I saw workers of the club with whom I met in my time there, people of protocol, communication, and security. But nothing more,” he added.

Asensi’s comments suggest the two parties did not even touch up on the subject, which may back up reports of Messi being discontent over Laporta and his management.

There has been talk of hosting the tribute match at the new Spotify Camp Nou, either when it is open to public with 60% capacity next year, or in 2026, when it is at 100% operational capacity.

When asked about the possibility of holding the match in 2026, Asensi said: “An Inter Miami-Barça match to pay tribute to Messi in 2026? Everything can be studied, but it’s a matter of timing. Did you say the Nou Camp Nou? When will it be finished? In 2026? In three years’ time, it will still have to rain a lot…”.

Decoding possibility of a farewell game

Speculation aside, the practical possibility of Barcelona holding a farewell game for Lionel Messi by inviting Inter Miami to Camp Nou seems remote, as of now.

First things first, Camp Nou is under renovation and won’t be available anytime soon. Even when Barça returns to Camp Nou, in November 2024, the club might not be in a position to organise a friendly.

Therefore, there is a substantial chance that fans may have to wait until 2025 before they can see Messi return to his former stomping ground.