Luis Suarez has ruthlessly criticised Ronald Koeman for how he “lacked the personality” to clearly inform him about his Barcelona future after their infamous phone call.
The 34-year-old Uruguayan striker left Liverpool in 2014 to sign for Barcelona and enjoyed a prolific six-season spell at the Camp Nou.
Suarez lifted four La Liga titles, a Champions League, four Copa del Reys, two Spanish Super Cups and a Club World Cup during his time with Barcelona.
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Koeman succeeded Quique Setien as Barcelona manager in August 2020 and decided to axe Suarez from his plans.
The Barcelona manager contacted Suarez on the phone and told him that he had no desire of keeping hold of him in a call that lasted 40 seconds.
Suarez, whose move to Juventus collapsed in that summer, was visibly upset with his Barcelona departure and went on to sign for Atletico Madrid.
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The former Barcelona star has now opened up about his infamous phone call with Koeman, who he slammed for his handling of the situation.
Speaking to Gerard Romero on Twitch, Suarez said: “The call from Koeman to tell me that [I wasn't in his plans] lasted 40 seconds, it's not the way to say goodbye to a legend.
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“First, he told me that I wasn't in his plans, and then he told me that if I didn't get my contract sorted out, I was going to play against Villarreal.
“He lacked the personality to tell me clearly if he didn't want me or if it was really the club that didn't want me.”
Suarez made an instant impact at Atletico in his debut season and finished top scorer for the club en route to the La Liga title.
The Uruguay international scored 21 times in La Liga during the 2020-21 season, finishing behind Gerard Moreno, Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi in the top scorer chart.
Suarez touched on his relationship with Lionel Messi and how the Barcelona legend was pushing for an exit from the Camp Nou in the summer of 2020.
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Messi stayed at Barcelona for another season after refusing to take the club to court over his disputed contract clause, which would have allowed him to terminate his deal.
The 34-year-old Argentine superstar left Barcelona in the summer on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after La Liga scuppered a new deal from the Spanish club.
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Suarez recalled how both his family and Messi’s family were going through a “very bad time” in the summer of 2020.
“They were very difficult days because of everything I gave to the club,” he added.
“I spoke to Sofia [Suarez's wife] and Leo after the phone call. It was a complicated year due to everything.
“Messi asked to leave and I was being sent away. Both of our families had a very bad time.”
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Luis Suarez, Ronald Koeman, Barcelona, La Liga, Football, Spain, Atletico Madrid