The stage and schedule has been set for Barcelona’s 125th anniversary celebrations which will be held at the prestigious Liceu Theatre on November 29.

It will be an evening of celebration and unforgettable memories with several VVIPs, club legends and other associated figures of prominence slated to attend.

Earlier this week, it was stated that even Lionel Messi would make time to attend the special evening in Catalonia after being personally invited.

News of his presence on the night spread like wildfire, for celebrating such a momentous occasion without the greatest player in history and the club’s biggest-ever icon simply felt incomplete.

A dramatic turn

Now, according to a breaking report from Mundo Deportivo, Messi will be unable to attend the programme on November 29th.

The player is indeed free after completing the MLS campaign with Inter Miami and received the invitation to attend 15 days ago.

However, he already has commitments scheduled months prior for the said evening and will thus be unable to make it to Catalonia unless there is a drastic turn of events.

The Spanish outlet clarify that while Messi will not be able to attend the evening of festivities, it does not mean he will not participate in the 125th anniversary celebrations through other means.

Earlier today, the player gave an interview to the organiser of the celebrations, David Caraben, where he spoke about his love for Barcelona and how he longed to return to Catalonia in the future.

As part of the interview, he even heaped praise on Hansi Flick and the current team for their start to the season and stated that he was not surprised by the their success.

Messi’s absence later this month will thus be felt, especially given how he is the team’s biggest-ever talisman. His absence for the festive night arrives as a big blow to the club’s plans.