Joan Gaspart has questioned why Lionel Messi has still not returned to Barcelona for a proper farewell, insisting that the club is bigger than any individual.

Former Barcelona President Attacks Messi for Delaying His Camp Nou Farewell

Lionel Messi has been publicly criticised by former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart for still not returning to the club for a proper farewell with supporters.

Gaspart praised Messi as one of the greatest players he has ever seen, but made clear that he is becoming frustrated by the long wait for an official goodbye.

He also delivered a strong reminder that Barcelona is bigger than any player, including Messi.

Gaspart questions Messi’s absence

Speaking on Sólo para Culés, Gaspart said Messi should make an effort to return to Barcelona and say goodbye properly to the supporters.

Messi left the club in 2021 in a very emotional and unexpected way.

Because of the financial situation at Barcelona, he was unable to continue at the club despite both sides originally hoping for a new contract.

That meant Messi never received the huge Camp Nou farewell many fans expected.

“Barcelona is bigger than him”

Gaspart’s strongest message was that Messi should never forget the size of the club.

He said:

“Barcelona is bigger than him.”

The former president also warned Messi to “be careful” and questioned whether he should allow personal problems to delay a farewell with the fans.

For Gaspart, Messi’s legendary status does not put him above Barcelona.

Laporta relationship should not stop farewell

Gaspart also spoke about the difficult relationship between Messi and current Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

The relationship between the two has remained complicated since Messi’s departure in 2021.

However, Gaspart believes that should not stop Messi from returning to the club.

He argued that a farewell should be about Messi, Barcelona and the supporters, not about who is currently president.

Gaspart asks: “Who does he think he is?”

The former president used even stronger language when discussing the idea that Messi might wait until Laporta leaves before returning.

Gaspart asked:

“Who does he think he is?”

He made clear that he would not support the idea of Messi delaying a farewell simply because of his relationship with Laporta.

However, Messi himself has not publicly confirmed that this is the reason the ceremony has not happened.

Important clarification over Messi’s position

There is currently no confirmed statement from Messi saying that he refuses to return while Laporta remains Barcelona president.

That idea comes mainly from speculation around their difficult relationship and from Gaspart’s own interpretation.

Barcelona have previously said they would still like to organise a major tribute for Messi at the new Camp Nou.

The final event would still require Messi to agree to take part.

Messi never had the farewell fans wanted

Messi spent more than two decades connected to Barcelona after joining La Masia as a teenager.

He became the club’s all-time top scorer and won almost every major trophy available.

But his final goodbye came through an emotional press conference rather than in front of a full Camp Nou.

For many Barcelona fans, that still feels like unfinished business.

Gaspart uses Yamal example

Gaspart also told a story involving his grandchildren to explain how quickly football moves on.

He said he asked them whether they wanted a Barcelona shirt with Messi or Lamine Yamal on the back.

According to Gaspart, they immediately chose Yamal.

He used the story to show that new generations always arrive, while the club remains bigger than any individual star.

Strong criticism but still great respect

Despite his strong words, Gaspart did not deny Messi’s importance to Barcelona.

He continued to describe the Argentine as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

His criticism was mainly about the missing farewell rather than Messi’s football legacy.

Gaspart’s message was clear: Messi deserves a huge goodbye, but he must also be willing to return and make it happen.

Barcelona farewell remains unfinished

Messi has already had an emotional farewell with Argentina, but his Barcelona story still lacks the final moment many supporters hoped to see.

Gaspart has now added public pressure by asking why that moment has still not happened.

Whether Messi eventually returns for a Camp Nou tribute could become one of the biggest emotional stories still left in his career.