Lionel Messi could LEAVE Nou Camp because of Neymar - Pancho Schroder
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2018 by Express.co.uk
Lionel Messi could leave Barcelona
BARCELONA's financial and strategy director Pancho Schroder has revealed that Lionel Messi could leave the club.
Messi, 30, has a £625million release clause in his current contract which runs until 2021.
The Argentina international is wanted by most of the European heavyweights but has not revealed any desire to leave.
However, Schroder believes that another giant club could meet the buy-out clause of Messi in the foreseeable future.
The Barcelona chief was one of the decision makers who opted to place a £198m release clause in Neymar's contract in anticipation that it would never be met.
But Paris Saint-Germain did just that in the summer to smash the world-record transfer fee.
And because the precedent has now been broken, Schroder has not ruled out another team coming in for Messi.
"We set up a clause which we think is enough to have Messi retire at FC Barcelona," Schroder told Sky Sports.
"But having said that, we thought a year ago that the clause for Neymar was also good enough to retain the player, and that proved last summer not to be the case.
"Looking at the future, I think, is difficult, but I don't have a crystal ball and these days things are getting a little bit crazy."
La Liga clubs are required to put a buy-out clause in each of their player's contracts.
For star men the clause is often placed at a ridiculous figure to deter rival clubs.
Messi is currently enjoying a successful season with Barcelona as they sit top of the table.
And the attacker has previously admitted that he would like to leave the club in the future, but only to return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys.
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