Jude Bellingham among stars with €1 billion release clauses as Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate list

Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham is among an exclusive list of players with the highest releases clauses in world football.

Release clauses are often used to protect a club's investment, persuade players to sign new deals or simply because it's the rules.

The latter is certainly the case in La Liga where release clauses are required in all contracts.

As a result, players who play for Real Madrid and Barcelona often have eye-watering release clauses - including English sensation Jude Bellingham.

The 20-year-old made the switch from Borussia Dortmund to Los Blancos in the summer and has really hit the ground running.

He has already scored 13 goals in 15 league games which is greater than his entire tally during a three year spell in Germany.

His release clause is an astonishing €1 billion, as reported by Talksport. That works out as £871 million, but he isn't the only one to break the billion mark.

Two of his teammates have the same release clause inserted in their contracts, as do five of Barcelona's biggest stars.

Vinicius Junior joined the exclusive list of when he signed a new deal at Madrid this year, as did Eduardo Camavinga.

Barcelona's highly-rated midfield duo of Pedri and Gavi are also part of the billionaire club, with the club firm believers that they can emulate the success of legends Xavi and Iniesta.

Meanwgile, another star whose release clause reaches nine digits plays for Premier League side Brighton. Ansu Fati is on loan at the English club from Barcelona and signed a new deal back in 2021.

Rounding off the list are Ronald Araujo and former Manchester City player Ferran Torres who are also key players for the Catalan giants.

It's highly unlikely that these release clauses will ever be met, so why have them?

Well, player welfare rules in Spain mean that there must be a buyout clause so that a club essentially cannot force a player to stay.