Suarez opens up on friendship with Messi after leaving Barcelona for Atletico

Luis Suarez remains close friends with Lionel Messi but football chat is off the table between the former team-mates.

Suarez was forced out at Barcelona after Ronald Koeman deemed him surplus to requirements and has since gone on to thrive at Atletico Madrid.

Messi tried to push for his own exit at the Nou Camp in a captivating transfer saga but remains at the club and is still in contact with Suarez.

The Uruguayan told Marca: 'The truth is that we speak a lot, but honestly we talk about our life.'

'It was recently the birthday of one of my children, also his. We talked about life, the virus, everything, but very little about football, about the goals we miss or about tactical systems.

'We worry more about how the family is than about what happens in football.'

Suarez, 33, also opened up on the pain of his Barcelona exit, where he had established himself as a firm fan favourite since joining from Liverpool back in 2014.

'I was sad and hurt by the way I left - I already said it,' he went on.

'But when they close a door, five more (clubs) open to you where they value my work, professionalism and trajectory. I feel proud.

'Where they did not want me, there was another that wanted me. I found happiness and I'm enjoying this moment now.'

Suarez has scored five LaLiga goals in six games for Diego Simeone's side and already proved his worth to the capital club.

He will no doubt have circled November 21 in the calendar as he will face Barcelona for the first time since leaving and have the chance to put one over on the Catalan club.