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‘Nothing surprises me anymore,’ says Messi lamenting Suarez departure

Agence France-Presse

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‘Nothing surprises me anymore,’ says Messi lamenting Suarez departure

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 13, 2019 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) celebrates with Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez after scoring during the UEFA Champions League round of 16, second leg football match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. - Luis Suarez left his last Barcelona training session in tears on September 23, 2020 as he prepares for a move to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. (Photo by PAU BARRENA / AFP)

AFP

Lionel Messi renews his criticism of the Barcelona management as he bids teammate and club great Luis Suarez goodbye

Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell on Friday, September 25, to Luis Suarez, the day after the Uruguayan striker had said tearful goodbyes to Barcelona after the club sent him to Atletico Madrid.

“Today I went into the dressing room and the awful truth hit me,” Messi posted on Instagram, before renewing his criticism of club management. 

“You deserved to be sent off as what you are: one of the most important players in the history of the club,” Messi wrote. “And not to be fired in the way they did it.”

“The truth is that at this point nothing surprises me anymore.”

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 quarterfinal in August.

Messi tried to force his exit from Barcelona but finally accepted that 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. (WATCH: Tearful Suarez says goodbye to Barca ahead of Atletico switch)

“I’m going to keep playing, with fresh motivation, with the objective to show I can continue competing,” Suarez said.

“Everyone knows the relationship we have, Leo and me. I’ve already played against him in the Uruguay-Argentina matches, playing against each other is not going to change the feelings we have for each other,” Suarez said.

Messi and Suarez were neighbors in the beachside suburb of Castelldefels and would arrive at training together. 

“How difficult it is going to be not to continue to share the days with you, both on the pitch and off it” wrote Messi in a post accompanied by 7 pictures of the two men together, sometimes with their families. 

“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,” wrote Messi. “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.” – Rappler.com

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