Lionel Messi has accused Barcelona of “kicking out” his friend and teammate Luis Suarez after the striker was sold to Atletico Madrid this week.
Barca have been selling key senior players in an effort to free up funds and shake up a struggling team, and the 33-year-old Suarez has seen his time come to an end.
In a message to Suarez bidding farewell on social media, Messi wrote: “How hard it’ll be not to share each day with you...You deserved to depart like what you are: one of the most important players in the club’s history. Not for them to kick you out like they have done. But the truth is nothing surprises me any more.”
Messi has endured a torrid relationship with the Barcelona hierarchy in recent months. He demanded to leave the club at the end of the season citing a clause in his contract which allowed him to do so, but Barca insisted the clause had expired and Messi was forced to stay until his deal ends next summer.
In a subsequent interview on his decision to stay, Messi said: “The truth is that there has been no project or anything for a long time, they [Barca hierarchy] juggle and cover holes as things go by.”
All eyes are now on club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and whether he will do enough over the coming months to secure victory in November’s presidential election.
A raft of players have departed in recent weeks including senior first-team stars Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Suarez, as well as right-back Nelson Semedo and midfielder Arthur.
The £55m signing of Miralem Pjanic from Juventus has been the most notable incoming player thus far and Ronald Koeman’s squad appears severely depleted as he attempts to regain the Liga title from Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s season begins on Sunday at home to Villarreal.
