Luis Suarez winning La Liga with Atletico Madrid just proved how bad Barcelona's decision to let him leave at the beginning of the season was.
The player actually looked set to leave on a free to Juventus, having reportedly been told by Barcelona's incoming boss Ronald Koeman that he was not wanted. It was only after the deal to Juve fell through - and Barca realised their star striker joining Atletico for no money was a terrible look - that they hastily agreed a minimal fee, based on set targets.
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Barcelona have had a troubled year - with the fallout with Lionel Messi, financial troubles, legal cases and a loss of form - but letting Suarez leave ranks up there with their most bizarre choices.
This is a player who scored 198 goals in just six seasons at the Catalan club and - even last year, when he had struggles with injury - managed a very decent return of 21 goals in 36 games.
He was also just 33 years old when Barca decided he wasn't worthy of a place in their squad. Hardly past-it for a player who looks after themselves as the 36-year-old Ronaldo or the free-scoring 39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic are showing.
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Moreover, Suarez is a player who thrives on proving people wrong. He's never more motivated than when he feels the world is against him - and now he's proved it once again but in Atletico's red-and-white stripes rather than Barca's blue and maroon.
The former Liverpool striker scored an all important goal for Atleti last weekend, when his 88th minute winner vs Osasuna kept Diego Simeone's side ahead of Real Madrid going into the final day of the season.
After going behind to Real Valladolid on Saturday night, Atleti needed Suarez's winner in the 67th minute to win the title, as Real beat Villarreal with their own come from behind victory.
Whether the fault lies with Koeman, with president Josep Maria Bartomeu, or can be shared among a collection of individuals, it's safe to say pushing a modern-day club legend out of the door - and into the arms of one of your biggest rivals - is an absolute disaster of a decision.
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Perhaps the chaotic Catalan club should have listened to Messi when he shared his emotions on Instagram when Suarez left.
"It will be strange to see you in another shirt and much more to come up against you on the pitch," Messi wrote.
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"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."
Back in October it looked like a crazy decision to let Suarez go, no matter his age, several months later and it looks even worse.
Is Barcelona's decision to let their former striker go to a title rival the worst transfer decision ever?
Featured Image Credit: PA/Premier SportsTopics: Football, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Valladolid, Transfer gossip, La Liga
