KEY POINTS

  • Messi has slammed Barcelona for Suarez's exit
  • Suarez has joined rival club Atletico Madrid
  • Suarez and Messi have become the best of friends over the years

Lionel Messi has slammed FC Barcelona for firing Luis Suarez, in an Instagram tribute, he posted as a goodbye message for the Uruguayan.

Ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, Barcelona appointed new head coach Ronald Koeman, who was given the task of revamping the squad fully, especially after the team failed to win a single trophy the previous season.

Koeman, in a mere phone call, informed Suarez that he was not a part of his plans and asked the former Liverpool forward to look for a new club.

Suarez, who spent six seasons at Barcelona, struck a great bond with Messi, on and off the field. The two together helped Barcelona to many laurels, including the Champions League and four league titles.

Messi, in his Instagram post, said that he is not surprised anymore with the recent decisions made by Barcelona, while he also admitted how much he would miss Suarez in the coming days.

“I had already begun to imagine it but today I went into the dressing room and it truly dawned on me. It's going to be so difficult to not continue to share every day with you both on the pitches and away from them. We're going to miss you so much. We spent many years together, many mates, many lunches and many dinners. So many things we will never forget, all the time we spent together. You did not deserve for them to throw you out as they did. But the truth is that at this stage nothing surprises me anymore,” wrote Messi.

In the same post, Barcelona skipper Messi also insisted that playing against Suarez from here on would be more difficult. “It will be strange to see you in another shirt and much more to come up against you on the pitch. You deserved a farewell that fit with who you are: one of the most important players in the history of the club. Someone who achieved great things for the team and on an individual level. Wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you so much. See you soon, mate,” Messi wrote.

Teammates no more: Luis Suarez struck up a strong friendship with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, but the Urugayan's transfer to Atletico Madrid has been confirmed
Teammates no more: Luis Suarez struck up a strong friendship with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, but the Urugayan has now moved to Atletico Madrid AFP / PAU BARRENA

Suarez, who scored 198 goals in 283 competitive matches for Barcelona between 2014 and 2020, recently moved to the Spanish capital after he joined the rival club Atletico Madrid at $4.6 million.