Barcelona needed to protect themselves with Lionel Messi’s release clause after Neymar’s shock exit, director Guillermo Amor said.

Messi, 30, finally signed a new deal with the La Liga leaders, extending his stay until 2021 with an astronomical €700-million release cause.

Barca saw Neymar leave in August after Paris Saint-Germain paid a world-record €222m – the Brazilian’s release clause.

Amor, a club great now responsible for Barcelona’s institutional and sporting relations for the first team, said lessons had been learned after Neymar’s departure.

‘We were never nervous,’ he said after his side’s 1-1 draw with Valencia on Sunday.

‘Lionel was always very happy at Barca and we want him to retire here, as he wishes.

‘We are talking about the clause, and with Neymar’s experience we must protect ourselves.’