Lionel Messi's reputation would be "very damaged" should he leave Barcelona, La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned.
The 33-year-old Barcelona captain, whose current deal expires in 2021, shocked the world in the summer after handing in a transfer request.
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However, the Argentine superstar ultimately remained at the Camp Nou after refusing to take Barcelona to court over his end-of-season release clause.
Messi will have the option to speak with clubs in January and even sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of a potential summer exit from Barcelona.
Tebas, 58, has insisted that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's reputation could be damaged should he leave La Liga.
The La Liga chief told AFP: "We've been lucky to enjoy him for so many years, but Messi should think very carefully about what he does next.
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"If Messi left Barcelona, that reputation he has now and that has worked so well for him would be very damaged.
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"It's true he could get a better offer financially but the reputation he has after more than 20 years, I think he has to hold onto that."
Tebas claims that La Liga could still cope in the absence of Messi, saying the Spanish league managed fine after Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo's respective departures.
"It wouldn't be a drama. Cristiano Ronaldo left, Neymar left," he said.
"Neymar went to PSG and I haven't seen the French league reaching a super level because of him.
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"That's the reality. People who think the players are the ones who define a competition are wrong and I'm glad they think that way because they won't grow."
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