Lionel Messi has included a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave Barcelona free if Catalonia gains independence, according to shock reports.
Messi finally signed a new lucrative contract in November to make him the world’s highest-paid footballer.
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His new deal will see him play at the Nou Camp through to 2021 and with a reported £623million release clause it is highly unlikely anybody will be able to take him away from the La Liga side.
However, Messi took a long time before committing his long-term future at Barcelona.
According to UK Express, there are reports that the Argentina international wanted assurances he would be able to leave free if Catalonia achieved independence.
