Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed reports Lionel Messi is free to leave if he wants to at the end of this season.

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, [Andres] 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."