Lionel Messi Set To Leave Barcelona On Free Transfer

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Lionel Messi could leave Barcelona on a free transfer. 

Barcelona want the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina captain to retire at Camp Nou and plan to hand him a new contract next season, that will keep him at the club until 2022.

However, a clause in Messi’s current deal comes into effect in 2020, which would allow Thiago’s father to sign for a “non-elite” club on a free transfer.

The same clause was inserted in contracts for Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, which saw both Spanish midfielders sign for Qatar and Japan clubs respectively.

This comes amid reports that Messi rejected Manchester City’s offer to “triple the salary he has at Barcelona”.