Ariedo Braida has conceded that Barcelona may not be able to prevent Lionel Messi from leaving for a club like Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain.
Braida is Barcelona's international sporting director.
Messi is signed with Barcelona through June of 2019 and has a £205 million release clause in his contract.
When asked about Messi's future, Braida told Catalan TV channel Esport 3: "I believe it's very difficult that Messi will leave Barca but at times in football strange things happen.
"Now with these clubs that have so much money like (Manchester) 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."
Messi has claimed to be happy at Barcelona.
Via ESPN