Legendary Lionel Messi may soon have his statue erected near Camp Nou, the home ground of his former club, Barcelona.
According to a report in Spanish outlet, La Vanguardia, Joan Laporta made the promise and that it would be fulfilled soon or later.
The Barcelona president reportedly believes that this, as well as organising a testimonial match, is still not enough to pay a proper tribute to Leo. The club will do their best to re-sign the Argentine on a permanent deal next summer.
The Argentine’s current deal with PSG expires next summer. He will be free to discuss his future with other clubs in January.
From all indications, the world soccer star may not in his career win a FIFA World Cup title despite winning the World Best Player Awards for five times, as the Argentine star may be playing his last national team at Qatar 2022 World Cup finals.
Messi, now 35, looks in fine form and able to cut it at the top level with any other attacker in Europe currently. He has been involved in 16 goals in 13 games this season for Paris Saint-Germain, inspiring them to win all but two of their games this season.
For Argentina, he has been in fine form too though. In the recent international break, Messi notched four goals in two friendlies, despite only playing 120 minutes. Admittedly it was against weaker opposition in Jamaica and Honduras.
However speaking in a recent interview, with Sebastian Vignolo, Messi was asked if it was his last World Cup. “Surely, yes,” was his response.
Messi will be 39 by the time the next World Cup arrives in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026. Understandably, he does not expect to be at the peak of his game by then. It certainly builds the narrative for a dramatic last outing.
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