Bleacher Report · Jan 5, 2018
Lionel Messi Can Reportedly Leave for Free If Catalan Independence Affects Barca
Lionel Messi reportedly has a clause in his new contract that will allow him to leave Barcelona for free should Catalonia gain independence and the club be affected as a result.
According to El Mundo (h/t Marca), if Barcelona were to enter a Catalan-only league, Messi has an agreement in place with the club that his €700 million release clause will be invalid and he can leave for free.
Per Gary Stonehouse of The Sun, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the club would discuss the possibility of playing in another of Europe's top leagues should Catalonia become independent from Spain.