Barcelona director: Lionel Messi’s release clause might not be high enough

The Argentine superstar signed a new deal with the Catalan club back in November 2017 that runs through to 2021.

The contract included a release clause set at €700 million (£625 million), and while Schroder told Sky Sports News the club hope to see the 30-year-old retire at Barcelona, he also did not rule out a rival activating the clause.

"We set up a clause which we think is enough to have Messi retire at FC Barcelona,” said Schroder.

"Looking at the future, I think, is difficult, but I don't have a crystal ball and things are getting a little bit crazy."

Messi made his debut for Barcelona as a 16-year-old in a friendly against Porto and has since gone on to score 600 goals for club and country.

The loss of Neymar hurt Barcelona. Not only did they lose a star player and asset but it undermined their standing as one of the elite players in the transfer market. A club of Barcelona’s standing should be able to hold on to any player they want.

In fact, all things being equal, they probably thought a release clause of €222 million would be prohibitive to even the richest clubs in the world. It was not as some clubs have bottomless backing.

Will €700 million be prohibitive? It should be, but, as Schroder says, a market that is “crazy” could potentially see a club activate said clause. Of course, less than a handful of clubs would have the capacity to do so.