Barcelona face fresh delay in Camp Nou return as Joan Laporta urges patience

The Blaugrana had originally targeted late 2024 for a comeback to their redeveloped stadium after two years at Montjuic, but that timeline has repeatedly been pushed back. A potential return in time for the Clasico in May was ruled out, while a plan to reopen with the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como in August also collapsed.

The most recent schedule aimed for Barcelona to host Valencia at Camp Nou on 14 September in their first home fixture of the new La Liga season. However, a lack of final licences and permits has meant that the game will instead take place at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

President Joan Laporta admitted that expectations had been raised too early, but stressed that the project was now in its final stages.

Speaking to the club's media, he said: "We are now in the final stages of the stadium. What remains is to continue the process from an administrative and official standpoint. We are very, very excited."

Laporta urged fans to remain patient: "I encourage the members and the fans to keep this understanding, because we will all have accomplished it together. Thanks to the Cules who know this is the most important project in our history, we will soon return to our home."

He added that the delay was purely down to official paperwork: "I cannot pinpoint the exact moment because it depends on the permits that the responsible authorities must grant us. But we are putting in everything that needs to be done to make this a reality as soon as possible."

Laporta described the redeveloped Camp Nou as "a masterpiece" and insisted that supporters would be proud when they finally return.

Barcelona remain at Montjuic for now, with their Champions League group stage clash against PSG on 1 October also expected to be played away from Camp Nou.

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