Lionel Messi is free ‘to leave’ at end of season – Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said the Spanish giants are not worried about Lionel Messi’s future, despite the Argentinian star being able to leave the club at the end of the season.  

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner signed a new four-year deal with Barca in 2017, but Bartomeu says he is free to end his contract beforehand.

Bartomeu while speaking with Barcelona’s in-house television channel said, “Leo Messi has a contract through to the 2020-21 season, but the player is able to leave Barca before the final season”.  

He added, “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.