Following Uruguay's victory against Chile, Luis Suarez spoke about his recent exit from Barcelona. The new Atletico Madrid striker suggested that his former club wanted him out of the door because he was friends with Lionel Messi.
"Koeman told me that I wasn't going to be leaving the club and that he had me in his plans," Suarez told ESPN. "It wasn't the coach; it was the directors who got rid of me at Barcelona. It bothered them that I was Messi's friend. They always used to complain that Messi didn't get on well with any forwards at the club and when he does get on well with one, they get rid of him"
"These are things that they decide. And two years ago they wanted to get rid of me to bring in other forwards. They didn't bring in anyone to compete with me because I was competing at a top level. I earned respect and I didn't deserve to find out that I was leaving through the press. They were talking about money and about me going to another club. They should have called me and explained properly why I was leaving. I'm conscious of my age and wouldn't have had any problem leaving"
On the other hand, Suarez did explain that Ronald Koeman wanted to keep him at the Camp Nou."If a coach comes in and says that you're not in his plans, then you start to doubt whether it's Koeman or the directors that don't want you there," he commented. "Koeman called me to let me know, but 10 days after knowing that I was leaving". "He said that if I couldn't find a club, that he'd have me in mind."
Suarez finally spoke about his relationship with Messi and how he thinks it affected his exit. "It bothered them that I got on with him," he claimed. "Maybe it wasn't that. I can't find any reason as to why they'd want to separate us. I didn't influence Messi in any of his decisions. If Leo is staying at Barcelona, he needs to enjoy himself and play at the top level like he's always done. I think what they did with me was about more than me just changing club. It was the way they did it, but I never had any problem with the club."
zutmnos
68
Messi attempted to leave Bacelona has proved many who think messi is afraid to play in another place wrong! It is shocking to know that easily maldrid got rid of cr7 with absolute ease despite cr7 still want to stay but Bacelona did everything possible to keep Messi despite he doesn't want to stay! So it means cr7 leaving Madrid and messI saying at Barca were not intentional but something beyond their control! Cr7 leaving maldrid is never a sign of strength and Messi continuous stay at Barca is not a sign of weakness! If cr7 moving to different clubs has not made him the best ever then messi playing in one club can't make messi not the best ever !
poyemprsy
32
Apart from Messi which other Barcelona player has work had to support the team ?Neymar knew how stupid Barcelona board is so he went to different club he never chase money..Barcelona are scared to lose Messi so if you’re a player close to Messi they think u will let him go to another club for challenge and if they see you are at your high level with Messi they will let you go like Neymar..They didn’t sack Suarez two years ago because they knew he won’t be like Messi but this past season he was the best in the Barcelona team scoring goal in big matches because Messi have been marked by the opponent players..they want Messi to be the best at the club and enjoy his legacy that’s why they are doing all this