While Barca were away defeating Celta Vigo, Messi visited the renovated stadium unannounced, with the news only being made public today via his Instagram account.
The Inter Miami star posted several photos of himself on the Nou Camp pitch, with the stadium opened on Friday for training only.
In a barb to Barca president Joan Laporta, Messi accompanied the pics with the message: "Last night I returned to a place that I miss with my soul.
"A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times the happiest person in the world. I hope one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never could..."
Messi's visit was private, unrelated to Barcelona and without asking permission from the club, which is the owner of the stadium.
Obviously, Messi didn't sneak in, but once there he asked the staff for permission. Limak (the company in charge of the works), of course opened the doors for him to access the stadium and pitch.
