Barcelona Captain Lionel Messi has once again criticized the leadership of the club following his team-mate Luis Suarez’s departure from the club to Atletico Madrid.
The board of Barcelona have decided at the end of a drought last season to sell off key senior players in an effort to free up funds and shake up a struggling team. Suarez, 33-year-old Suarez is one of such players who have seen his time come to an end
Messi who also just recently was involve in a tussle with the board demanding to leave the club at the end of the season citing a clause in his contract which allowed him to do so but eventually decided to stay has hit out at the club’s management of Suarez’s departure from the Spanish giants.
The super star wrote on Instagram: “You deserved a fitting farewell for the person that you are: one of the best players in the club’s history, having achieved incredible things both individually and collectively.
“You didn’t deserve to be pushed out the way they did, but the truth is nothing surprises me anymore.
“I was gradually accepting it, but when I got into the dressing room today, how hard it’s going to be to no longer have you around in the day-to-day on and off the pitch really dawned on me.
“We’re going to miss you so much. It’s been so many years, so many mates (a tea-like drink), lunches, dinners… There are so many things that will never be forgotten after being together every day.
“It will be strange to see you in another kit and even more so to play against you…
“I wish you all the best for your new challenge. Sending love to you and your family. See you soon, mate.”
Suarez was close to signing for Juventus before an agreement was reached with La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid for a fee of £5.5m.
Suarez was tearful as he said goodbye at a press conference on Thursday, revealing that he felt “proud” of the attacking partnership and friendship he cultivated with Messi during his six-year stay in Catalonia.
Suarez leaves Barcelona as the club’s third-highest scorer of all-time after scoring 198 goals. He has won 13 major trophies since arriving from Liverpool for £74m in 2014.
Lots of players have departed Barcelona in recent weeks including senior first-team stars Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Suarez, as well as right-back Nelson Semedo and midfielder Arthur.
Barcelona’s season begins on Sunday at home to Villarreal.
