Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said he is firmly committed to having a special tribute to Lionel Messi as the forward deserves "eternal recognition" for his contribution to the club.

Laporta's relationship with Messi deteriorated after Barcelona announced last summer that due to financial problems Messi would not return, a decision that prompted the Argentina captain to sign for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

Earlier this year, Laporta described that decision as the "hardest he ever made" but said "he did not regret it because the club always comes first."

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"I will support, lead and back anyone that finds solutions that lead to a tribute to Messi, for all that he has given to Barca," Laporta said. "We have to give him an eternal recognition for all that he has done."

Due to COVID-19 enforced restrictions, Messi did not get a chance to say goodbye to Barca fans as he would have wanted.