Messi will be free, leave Barcelona; If Catalonia becomes independent

Barcelona star striker Lionel Messi has ensured he could become a free agent if Blaugrana no longer plays in a major European league as a result of Catalan independence, Spanish media wrote today.

The contract Messi signed last November includes a clause that he must remain a Barcelona player only as long as the club is playing in "a top-level European league."

Catalonian nationalists proclaimed independence from Spain after a referendum on October 1, precipitating a crisis which is still unresolved.

The Spanish civil and football authorities have said repeatedly that Catalan secession would end the participation of the region's clubs in the Spanish League.

If Catalonia becomes independent and Barcelona are booted out of La Liga and cannot persuade another major league (France, Italy, Germany or England) to give them a home, Messi could leave without having to pay his 700 million euro ($843 million) buyout clause.