Catalonia's political situation affects Messi's contract

CAIRO – 5 January 2018: Lionel Messi has put a condition in his new contract saying that he will leave Barcelona if Catalonia’s independence affects the club’s situation in the Spanish League and European competitions, according to El Mundo magazine.
Messi has extended his contract with the club from November 2017 until 2022.

El Mundo claimed that Messi will leave the club if Catalonia’s movement for independence forced the club out of the top European leagues.

The Spanish Football Federation President, Javier Tebas, has revealed earlier that Catalonian clubs, including Barcelona, will not continue competing in the Spanish League if Catalonia gains its independence from Spain, according to Marca.

Messi is a Barcelona academy product. He joined the club when he was just 13 years old and got promoted through the club ranks, until he joined the first team when he was 16. Since then, he has become the club’s biggest star.