Lionel Messi has taken a dig at Barcelona for forcing Luis Suarez out from the club despite being performing at top level.

Suarez bid an emotional farewell to his Barcelona teammates after he completed $7 million move to Atletico Madrid. The Uruguay striker, who is Barca's third all-time top scorer with 198 goals in all competitions, had a year left on his contract with the club.

Following his departure, Messi slammed Barcelona in an Instagram post: “I had already begun to imagine it but today I went into the dressing room and it truly dawned on me. It's going to be so difficult to not continue to share every day with you both on the pitches and away from them.

“We're going to miss you so much. We spent many years together, many mates, many lunches and many dinners. So many things we will never forget, all the time we spent together.

“It will be strange to see you in another shirt and much more to come up against you on the pitch. You deserved a farewell that fit with who you are: one of the most important players in the history of the club. Someone who achieved great things for the team and on an individual level.

“You did not deserve for them to throw you out like they did. But the truth is that at this stage nothing surprises me anymore.”

Earlier, Messi was tipped to move away from the Camp Nou after spending entire career at the Spanish club. The 33-year-old decided to stay at the club at the last moment with just year left in his contract.