Barcelona legend Deco confirmed that there are plans to give Lionel Messi a farewell from his former club.
The Portuguese, who currently serves as the sporting director of the Catalan club, added that Messi will perhaps play a farewell match at the Camp Nou stadium, which is currently undergoing renovation.
Deco, though, added that an exact timeline for the proposed farewell game can't be confirmed yet. Speaking on the matter, Deco said (quotes as per Barca Universal):
“I think there will be a farewell game, but maybe in the new stadium when it’s ready. He will always be the greatest idol in the history of the club. The club had great idols, such as Cruyff, Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all."
Deco added:
“He (Messi) will definitely play a farewell game at Barcelona, but when it will be, we don’t know. He is playing, and I hope he plays for more years, because the people who like football, who like him, will be happy to see him happy."
Lionel Messi was heavily linked with a return to Barca in the summer. A transfer, however, didn't materialize and Messi ended up joining Inter Miami as a free agent,
The MLS club, though, failed to secure a spot in this season's playoffs, meaning their season has come to an end. Rumors are percolating that Messi might make a return to Barca on loan in the winter. That said, the claims are far from being a concrete reality.
Source: SportsKeeda