MADRID, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona captain Gerard Pique has confirmed the news which will no doubt shock FC Barcelona fans -- the club's star player Leo Messi has a contract which says that if he wanted to he could walk away for nothing at the end of the season.
The story was broken on Thursday by the 'El Pais' newspaper, which cites sources at Barcelona saying that the Argentinean, who turned 32 in June and who in theory has a contract until the end of June 2021, had a get out clause in his contract
"We accept that he could leave when he wants to, at the end of each season, that is what we agreed," the source is quoted as saying.
Although the possibility of arguably the best player in the world walking away from the Camp Nou for nothing in June 2020 is something that would horrify most Barca fans, the club also believes that given Messi's age and the money he earns, signing him "would be difficult for another club."
When asked about the story on Spanish radio station, Cadena Ser in the early hours of Friday morning, Pique admitted it was true.
"I already knew that Messi could leave for free at the end of every season," he said, although he stressed that he didn't expect Messi to leave the club where he has spent the last 19 years.
"We all know the commitment Leo has with Barca and I'm not worried at all. He's earned the right to decide his own future," said Pique.
