Messi might leave Barca for free

Lionel Messi's exit clause has expired on May 30 and now he might leave Camp Nou for free this summer.

The clause in his contract which he signed in 2017 has expired on Saturday and now this allows the Argentinian star to leave for another club for free this summer.

However, Messi has the intentions to stay with the Catalans for at least one more year, despite the tumultuous season that has caused rows with members of the club's hierarchy.

Barcelona board believe that Messi will not only stay with the club for another year, but he will sign a new contract for at least five more.

In November, Bartomeu suggested that the 32-year-old star could be offered a lifetime deal with the club, similar to the one Andres Iniesta signed and hopes to begin the talks as soon as possible.

"Surely it will be the wish of all parties, if he [Lionel Messi] feels strong and ambitious, to extend this contract indefinitely," Bartomeu said.

"Ultimately it is he who must decide. He has earned the right to decide when he will stop playing football. But he wants to finish his playing career at Barcelona.

"Over the next two or three seasons our leader will continue to be Leo Messi. There's no doubt that he is still young, still strong. He is still ambitious.

"So Leo Messi will still play with us for the next two, three, four or five years. I have no doubts about that."

Since Messi signed his first professional contract with Barcelona in 2005 he has been their top player and throughout the years he was offered eight renewals by the Catalans, as his release clause rised up to €700m in the process.