If Catalonia secedes from Spain and Barcelona doesn't compete in any of Europe's top four leagues, Lionel Messi could leave the club without a transfer fee.

Messi signed a new deal with Barcelona in November that runs through the 20-21 season and has an $843 million release clause.

A Barca spokesman said: “In the interests of confidentiality the club never comments on contracts signed with players and never will.”

Messi’s management team could not immediately be reached for comment.

The president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, has repeatedly said Barcelona would be removed from the Spanish league along with all other Catalan clubs in the event of secession.