Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is set to offer talisman Lionel Messi a lifetime contract at the Camp Nou.
The Argentinian attacker could leave Barcelona for nothing at the end of the season, despite his contract running until 2021. Bartomeu confirmed that Messi has a clause in his contract, similar to one that both Xavi and Andres Iniesta had, that gives him the opportunity to leave the club at the end of each season.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barça president Bartomeu plans to offer Messi a contract for life, although there's no rush to negotiate the contract. Bartomeu and Messi's father, Jorge, have a cordial relationship whereby they're in constant contact.
On Messi's current contract, Barcelona stalwart Gerard Pique is well aware that Messi can leave at the end of the season, but isn't concerned.
We know the commitment Leo has with Barca and it doesn't worry me at all... He has earned the right to decide his future.
Although all parties are confident that Messi will remain in Catalunya, the Barça captain has expressed interest in returning to Argentina to play for former club Newell's Old Boys.
It is said that a move to either Newell's Old Boys, or a foray in the MLS, will not negate the terms of a lifetime deal. Rather, Messi can return to the Camp Nou thereafter and occupy the position he desires.
The clause in his current contract, signed in 2017, only applies to potential moves outside of Europe. Xavi exercised the clause in 2014 to join Al Sadd in Qatar, with Iniesta doing likewise in 2018, signing for Vissel Kobe in Japan.
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