Barcelona star Lionel Messi receives contract offer as David Beckham seeks MLS transfer

Lionel Messi has been contracted by David Beckham about a move to the MLS.

Lionel Messi is considering the option of leaving Barcelona and joining Major League Soccer, according to reports in Spain.

The 32-year-old is currently under contract until 2021, however, it is thought the Argentine has a clause in his deal that would allow him to leave Barca without a fee at the end of any season to a club outside of Europe.

During his time with the Catalan giants Messi has extended his contract five times since 2005 and it is reported that during his latest extension, which occurred in 2017, the get-out clause was inserted into the contract.

Although Messi has been loyal to the club he graduated from back in 2004, it is thought the clause was added to give him the option to join childhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina.

According to reports in Spain, Messi has been approached by David Beckham about the possibility of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner joining his new side Inter Miami.

Beckham’s new club launches in the MLS in March 2020 and Spanish broadcaster Catalunya Radio claims the former England captain has reached out to Messi about joining him in Florida.

The offer comes amid reports suggesting Messi has been offered a ‘lifetime’ contract by the Barca.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is ready to give the club’s talisman a ‘lifelong’ contract, according to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.

And in a recent statement Bartomeu reiterated his confidence that Messi would choose to stay in Catalonia and the club thinks he would like to stay with them until at least the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which will take place during the winter between November and December.

"I have no doubt he will want to continue until 2021,” Bartomeu said.

“And we hope after that another year."

However, due to the terms of Messi’s contract, he currently holds all the card as to where his future lies.

And he is not the first Barcelona star to be rewarded with such a contact at the club.

Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol were all understood to have been given similar deals by the club.

Puyol ultimately decided to retire from football in 2014, rather than play for another club, but Xavi left to join Qatari side Al Sadd before also retiring last May.

While 35-year-old Iniesta left the Nou Camp last year to join the Japanese club Vissel Kobe.

While Messi has not agreed terms with Beckham to join his new outfit in the MLS, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfield believes there is a chance he can convince Messi to swap Spain for the US.

“Everyone has their wish list,” Beckham said earlier in the year, when speaking about the prospect of recruiting Messi and Juventus and Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo.

"But if you look at the way Leo and Cristiano are still playing, even at what you might think is the later stage of their careers, I don't see it ending for them.

"They're playing at such a high level that it's hard to see them leaving the clubs they are at. But we will see. You never know what can happen in football."