Departed Luis Suarez believes his strong relationship with Lionel Messi was a key factor behind Barcelona\u2019s decision to sell him to Atletico Madrid this summer.<\/p>\n
Atletico ultimately gained from the Barca fiasco as they were able to sign Suarez for just \u20ac6 million after new boss Ronald Koeman made it clear to the Uruguayan striker that time had already run out on his future at Camp Nou and that he had no pace for the striker in his plans going forward for Barca.<\/p>\n
During his six years at the club, Suarez helped Barcelona win four league titles as well as the Champions League in his first season at the club. Suarez also formed a strong bond with Messi both on and off the pitch and the 33-year-old feels his friendship with Barcelona\u2019s talisman ultimately led to his exit.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think they wanted to remove me from Messi\u2019s side,\u2019 Suarez told ESPN.<\/p>\n
\u2018Maybe it annoyed them that I had a good relationship with Leo. Perhaps they didn\u2019t want him to be with me so much.<\/p>\n
\u2018I can\u2019t find any reason to think that would damage the team, though.<\/p>\n
\u2018We looked for each other constantly on the pitch, but for the good of the team. Maybe they wanted him to play with more teammates.<\/p>\n
\u2018That could have something to do with it. I can\u2019t find any other reason to want to separate us because we got on well on the pitch.\u2019<\/p>\n
Suarez also feels that Barcelona should have allowed Messi to leave the club after he pushed for a move away at the end of last season.<\/p>\n
\u2018They should have respected his decision to leave,\u2019 said Suarez.<\/p>\n
\u2018Maybe there\u2019s the possibility that he plays for another club, but if he feels comfortable and happy and a new board come in, he will want to stay at the club. \u2018As a friend, I will be happy if things go well for him there, but also if he has to go to another club.\u2019<\/p>\n
Suarez also didn\u2019t hesitate to slam Barcelona\u2019s board for the shabby way they handled his departure.<\/p>\n
\u2018It really hurt me and my family the way they did it,\u2019 said the striker.<\/p>\n
\u2018It wasn\u2019t right that a coach (Ronald Koeman) comes in and says he doesn\u2019t count on me when the board had already said there were going to be big changes generates doubts.<\/p>\n
\u2018Koeman called me to tell me that I wasn\u2019t in his plans, but I\u2019d known what was coming for 10 days. He just confirmed what I\u2019d seen in the media.<\/p>\n
\u2018I always said the club needed a young striker, but they never brought anyone in to compete with me even. For years, they\u2019ve wanted to bring more forwards because they wanted to kick me out.<\/p>\n
\u2018It had been coming but I at least deserved for them to phone me and explain before learning of it through the media.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"