Lionel Messi has attacked Barcelona for 'kicking out' Luis Suarez, and says his former team-mate deserved better from the club.
Barca announced on Wednesday that they had reached agreement with LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid for Suarez following a standoff between the player and the club.
Messi was present at a press conference at Camp Nou on Thursday as his close friend Suarez said goodbye to the Catalan club, though the Uruguayan said he felt he still had something to offer Barca.
Messi's own relationship with Barca reached a low point this summer when he told the club that he wanted to leave in August.
The Argentine believed he was entitled to depart for free due to a clause in his contract, but Messi eventually stayed put rather than risking a bitter legal battle over his €700million release clause.
It would take something special for Messi to sign a new contract at Barca beyond its current expiry of summer 2021, and the Camp Nou talisman did not hold back in his criticism of the club's conduct during Suarez's exit.
In a lengthy tribute to Suarez on Instagram, Messi wrote: "You deserved to depart like you are: one of the most important players in the club's history, winning things as part of a group and individually.
"Not for them to kick you out as they have done.
"But the truth is nothing surprises me any more."
