Messi can leave at end of season: Barca president

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed club legend Lionel Messi is free to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Argentine signed a four-year deal in 2017 and will enter into his final year in June 2020.

Speaking to the club’s media, Bartomeu, however, says if Messi decides to leave, they will not be worried as it has been the same case with other club legends in the past.

He said: “Leo Messi has a contract through to the 2020-21 season, but the player is able to leave Barca before the final season.

“It’s the same case as with the final contracts that Xavi, (Carles) Puyol and (Andres) Iniesta had. They are players who deserve that liberty, and we shouldn’t worry, as they are very committed to Barca.

“We want Messi to play for Barca through to 2021 and beyond. We are very calm.”

Messi, 32, has been at Barcelona since 2001 and is the club’s record goalscorer.

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