Messi can leave freely a year before finishing his contract in 2021 notifying Barcelona before June, although Barca trust him to continue playing for the club.
Leo Messi's contract, which ends in 2021, contains an option for the Argentine to leave freely at the end of next season.
Spanish media El País explained that the 'free leaving option' can link with any club. Barça club sources confirmed it as well. Of course, the club pointed out that there is the certainty that Messi does not want to leave, at least, before 2021.
Additionally, this clause falls within the loyal relationship established between two sides. In any case, if Messi wants to leave in 2020, he should notify the club before the end of May, coinciding with the end of the season.
Barça is not afraid of the short-term future of Leo Messi considering that the Argentine and his families are happy at Barcelona. Bartomeu wants to offer Messi an almost lifelong renewal, as was done with Iniesta.
Entourages of Messi show the same optimistic attitude towards this incident. According to El Chiringuito, they believe that Messi will renew his contract at least to the end of the 2021 season.