Lionel Messi is still being mentioned in recent soccer transfer rumors, and FC Barcelona international sporting director Ariedo Braida admitted the Argentine might leave the club.

Messi, a four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, is in contract with FC Barcelona until after the 2019 season, but previous reports indicated that the Argentina international might force his way out of Camp Nou after having a dispute with Barca coach Luis Enrique.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho previously said that it is almost impossible to acquire Messi from FC Barcelona since he has a release clause worth 205 million pounds.

However, Braida said in an interview with Catalan TV channel Esport 3 that they cannot be too complacent because they could lose Messi despite being tied to an expensive release clause.

Braida added that it will be difficult for clubs to spend a huge amount for just one player, but he quickly added that there are teams who might be willing to break the bank like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly interested in acquiring the 27-year-old forward.

"I believe it's very difficult that Messi will leave Barca but at times in football strange things happen," Braida told Esport 3 via ESPN FC. "Now with these clubs that have so much money like City and PSG, certain amounts don't seem to have a value. In football things happen that appear impossible but I hope he will remain."

Former FC Barcelona defender Eric Abidal also said late last month that Messi, the all-time scoring leader in Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League, might end up leaving Camp Nou before his contract runs out.

Abidal, who still has a close relationship with Messi despite parting ways in 2013, said that his former teammate might look for bigger challenge elsewhere, and PSG have the strongest chance to acquire Santa Fe, Argentina native.

"Perhaps he would like a different challenge, being able to win trophies with another club, that remains a possibility," Abidal told TF1 via ESPN, referring to Messi. "It's true that PSG have, for a while now, been able to put a good squad together, a good team with an attitude, a desire, a determination and objectives to be achieved."

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