Prolific striker Luis Suarez, who had successfully forged a strong relationship both on and off the pitch with Messi over the last six hugely successful years in Catalonia, made the move to Atletico last week. His premature and undignified exit reignited the fury of Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, who in retaliation blasted the board for the shabby manner in which they had dispensed with the Uruguayan.
Immediately upon Suarez’s leaving Camp Nou, Messi had taken to Instagram to share his thoughts on the situation – claiming Barca should have been more respectful in the way they let Suarez go, even claiming that his pal was forced out the club.
Messi has now explained his actions following his ex-partner’s controversial exit, saying that he felt the right thing to do was to speak out.
He told Spanish news outlet Sport:
“I said what I felt in what was a tough moment.
“I understand people may have thought I should have shut up or let it go, as I did on many other occasions, but a lot of things hurt me in the last few weeks and it was my way of expressing that.”
Messi rocked the football world this summer when he told Barca he wanted to leave the Blaugrana and was linked with a shock switch to Manchester City, but eventually relented, as he was unwilling to go to court after the La Liga giants insisted any potential suitors would have to pay his £624m release clause.
In his Instagram posting, Messi has also called an end to his war with the club after addressing fans to say he always had the club’s best interests at heart.
“After so many disagreements, I would like to put an end to it,” Messi told the Spanish publication.
“All Barca fans must unite and assume that the best is yet to come.”
He added:
“I take responsibility for my mistakes, if there were any – they were only to make a better and stronger Barca.
“Adding passion and enthusiasm will be the only way to achieve the objectives – always united and rowing in the same direction.”