Barcelona to build Messi statue

Barcelona club president Joan Laporta has announced that the club will build a statue of their legend, Lionel Messi, amid reports they will try to re-sign him next summer.

According to GOAL, Messi left Barca after a near-20-year-long affiliation with the club in 2021 as they were unable to extend his contract due to crippling debts. The Argentine didn't even get a farewell appearance after his departure was announced, but Laporta has now confirmed plans to immortalise him outside the club's famous stadium.

Laporta said at Barca's General Assembly over the weekend: “We will build a statue of Leo Messi outside the Camp Nou. The decision has been made.”

Rumours have been circulating that Messi could return to Camp Nou next summer, at which point his current contract at Paris Saint-Germain is due to expire. The 35-year-old has an option to extend his stay at Parc des Princes, however, and won't make a final decision on his future until the end of the season.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner missed PSG's latest Ligue 1 outing against Reims due to injury but is in line to return against Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night.