The former Barcelona man paid tribute to six-time Balon D’or winner Messi after it was confirmed he would call time on his stay in Catalonia after 21 years with the La Liga giants
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Luis Suarez is the latest star to send Lionel Messi a public tribute in the aftermath of the news that he will not play his football at Barcelona next season.
Messi has been a free agent since the end of June, after his previous Barca contract expired, though both the club and the player himself were under the impression he would bide his time until permission was granted for him to pen his new deal.
The reason behind the wait was the fact that Barcelona had been punished by La Liga for operating significantly above the league’s wage restrictions and as a result were forbidden from registering any new signings until huge amounts of money had been shifted from the wage books.
Technically, Messi fell under the bracket of a new signings as he was penning a new deal and in turn was unable to extend his stay at the Camp Nou.
Barca have since confirmed Messi wanted to stay, but cited “economic and structural obstacles” as the reason for his departure, referring to La Liga’s wage rule.
Suarez was one of many stars to flock to social media in a bid to pay tribute to one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game, the former Liverpool forward took to Instagram to write: “There are not enough words to tell THE STORY YOU WROTE at Barcelona. The club that saw you grow, the club that you love so much and for who you achieved so many titles until you became the best player ever.
“I will always be grateful for how you received me since I arrived [at Barcelona] because of what a great human being you are. Proud to have shared thousands of wonderful moments with you and be lucky enough to have played with you.
“I sincerely hope that what happens in the future is the best for you and your family. I love you so much.”
It has been little over 48 hours since Messi’s departure was confirmed, but speculation has already begun over where he will play next season – with French giants Paris Saint-Germain the current favourites.
This is due to both the fact that they are one of few teams across the globe that could afford the Argentine’s astronomical wages, while they already have one of Messi’s closest confidants within their ranks in Neymar.
Alongside Suarez, Messi and Neymar formed one of the most lethal attacking trios in European football history and the three remain in close contact to this day, despite all playing for separate teams.
Who will Lionel Messi join this summer? Have your say here.
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Messi has previously disclosed the trio are in WhatsApp group chat, as he told Fox Sports Argentina back in 2019.
“I have a group on WhatsApp where we are – Suarez, Neymar and I, Neymar is a phenomenon and yes, we continue to talk,” he said.
“The name of the group has something to do with South America … ‘The Three Sudacas’ or something like that.”
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