Superstar Lionel Messi has slammed Barcelona board over the exit of striker Luiz Suarez, who joined Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
In an emotional farewell to Suarez with whom he played for six years, the Barcelona captain said: “Today I went into the dressing room and the awful truth hit me.
“You deserved to be sent off as what you are: one of the most important players in the history of the club. And not to be fired in the way they did it.
“The truth is that at this point nothing surprises me anymore,” he wrote on Instagram.
He added: “How difficult it is going to be not to continue to share the days with you, both on the pitch and off it.
“We are going to miss you very much. It’s been many years, many cups of mate, lunches, dinners…Many things that I will never forget.
“It’s going to be weird to see you with another shirt and much more to face you.
“But I wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you very much, I love you very much. See you soon, my friend.”
Messi has a long-running feud with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu which intensified after Barcelona were humiliated 8-2 by Bayern in a Champions League quarter-final in August.
Messi tried to force his exit from Barcelona but finally accepted he would have to see out the final year of his contract.
Meanwhile, two of his closest friends on the team, Suarez and the Chilean Arturo Vidal have left.
The 33-year-old Suarez moves to Atletico on a two-year contract on a free transfer, although, if he does well, Barcelona could receive some money.
Suarez, who hit 198 goals for Barca, becoming the third-highest goalscorer in the history of the club, cried as he bid an impromptu farewell to the club on Thursday.
Messi and Suarez were neighbours in the beachside suburb of Castelldefels and would arrive at training together.
