Barcelona: Bartomeu: Messi can leave Barcelona in June, but I'm convinced he'll stay

The Blaugrana president, however, is convinced that the Argentine will stay at the Camp Nou beyond next summer.

"He has a contract that we signed two years ago," Bartomeu said as he clarified Messi's situation on Barca TV.

"For the last year, he can leave Barcelona before the start of the 2020/21 season.

"It's something that other players like Xavi, (Andrew) Iniesta and (Carles) Puyol have had in their contracts.

"But I'm relaxed, Leo is so (loyal to) Barcelona that he's not going to play for another club and it will stay that way beyond 2021 when his contract expires. "

Bartomeu insisted that Barcelona do everything possible to make sure that Messi plays alongside the best at the Camp Nou.

"Each year we do everything and more to try to make our members happy," Bartomeu he said.

"Each year we've built a better squad than the one before, although it's also true that we've had bad matches like against Rome or Liverpool.

"Moving to Barcelona and competing with people like (Sergio) Busquets, (Luis) Suarez or Messi is very difficult because they're the best.

"They've won eight of the last 11 LaLiga Santander titles, they've won UEFA Super Cups, Cops del Rey.

"Each year we do everything and more to be competitive."