The Uruguayan Luis Suarez, Atletico Madrid striker, acquitted the Dutch coach Ronald Koeman of Barcelona for having caused his departure from Barca and blamed the club officials who were troubled by his friendship with Lionel Messi.

He added - in a television interview with ESPN - that "Koeman told me that if I did not want to leave the club, I would be part of his plans. It was not the coach but the club managers who had grown fed up with my friendship with Messi, and they were ... They always complain that Messi did not get along well with any of the club's forwards, and when he gets along well with one of them, they get rid of him. "

He added that Koeman wanted me to stay at the club, "I did not understand who the coach does not want me or the managers ?! It is true that when he arrived he informed me that I was not within his plans, but he came back after 10 days and told me: If you do not find a team, you will be in the squad."

He explained that Messi might be convinced to stay with the Catalan club, despite Manchester City's interest in obtaining his services.

Barcelona captain Messi tried to leave the club at the end of last season, but then changed his position and agreed to stay until the end of his contract in June 2021.

Messi, 33, expressed his frustration with the behavior of his club management and its inability to plan well, but he said he would do his best with the club during the current season.

Barcelona's historic top scorer, Messi, will be able to negotiate with any team from next January, including City, who is led by former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, seeking to include him in his squad.

Suarez said, "Maybe there is a possibility to play for a different team. But if he feels comfortable and happy and in the presence of a new board of directors, he will want to stay in the club."

"As a friend, I would be happy if things went well for him at Barcelona and also if he moved to another team," he added.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has called for new club elections in March 2021, but he may leave his post sooner in light of a planned vote of no-confidence in him and the board of directors.

Of course, many will seek Messi's services if he decides to leave the Camp Nou.