Barcelona Football Club president Joan Laporta is advancing a strategic initiative he sees as part of the Camp Nou's return process. After the first official match at the renovated stadium, the club plans to gather legendary players from different eras for a group photo on the New Camp Nou pitch, symbolizing the return of glorious nights at the Blaugrana temple.
This plan aims to present a historically significant photo that showcases the partially completed New Camp Nou alongside the iconic players who shaped the club’s history. Legendary stars already contacted include Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol, and Ronaldinho, with recent club greats also set to be invited. Defining the selection criteria and controlling the overall budget have become key focuses of internal discussions.
The program noted that considering many former players are scattered around the world – with some based in South America requiring high travel costs – the expenses would be substantial if 150 players are ultimately invited, 25 of whom are from South America. Nevertheless, Laporta remains committed to pushing the plan forward.
Initially scheduled for Barcelona’s match against Atlético Madrid on December 2, the event has been rescheduled to coordinate the family arrangements, professional schedules, and travel accommodations of numerous legends. While the final plan is yet to be confirmed, the program team is certain the legendary group photo “will definitely be taken around the Christmas holidays.”
Although Xavi has not directly received an invitation, he inferred the club’s intention by consulting former teammates about the matter. The core question is: Will Xavi, who publicly supported Víctor Font in the past, be willing to participate in a photo that could be interpreted as endorsing Laporta’s re-election campaign? Sources indicate this is not an obstacle – when attending the club’s 125th anniversary celebration in Lisbon previously, Xavi readily participated despite his strained relationship with Laporta, proving he does not conflate club affairs with personal stances.
However, Xavi’s attendance remains uncertain, as he and several other legends have commitments outside Catalonia. According to the same source, Messi is essentially certain to be absent, with the program team directly listing him as an "excluded figure."
