Lionel Messi News: Gerard Pique says he "already knew" about the clause that could see the Argentine leave Barcelona after every season

What's the story?

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has revealed that he already knew about the contract clause that could see Lionel Messi leave the Camp Nou at the end of every season, thereby confirming recent reports of the same.

In case you didn't know...

Messi has established himself as a true Blaugrana legend not merely in terms of performance and attitude but in regards to his loyalty to the club. The 32-year-old has stayed loyal to the Catalan giants since signing his first contract as a senior team player in 2005 after graduating from their famed La Masia academy.

The Argentina international signed his current contract back in November 2017 after his terms were penned and agreed to by the club in June.

A recent report published in El Pais on Thursday has claimed that a clause in the contract that would allow Messi to leave at the end of each season if he wishes.

Such clauses are believed to be common as the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta have all signed similar deals with the Blaugrana in the final years of their stints at the club.

The heart of the matter

Pique has now confirmed that the rumours of the clause are true but added that Messi has earned the right to leave Barcelona if he wishes to. He also insisted that he is not worried about the five-time Ballon d'Or winner leaving the club anytime soon.

Speaking to Cadena Ser, the defender said,

"I already knew Messi is able to leave for free at the end of each season.

"But we all know the commitment Leo has to Barca and it doesn't worry me at all. He's earned the right to be able to choose what he does with his future after everything he's given the club."

What's next?

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is believed to be working on Messi's new contract, a deal which has been tipped to be the Argentine maestro's last with the club.