Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman understands Lionel Messi 'sadness' over Luis Suarez exit
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman says he understands why Lionel Messi is upset over the sale of Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid.
Suarez said goodbye to Barcelona in a tearful press conference on Thursday, before completing his transfer to Atletico on Friday and Messi hit out at the club's board for the nature of his departure with a strongly worded post on Instagram that same day.
"You deserved to depart like you are: one of the most important players in the club's history, winning things as part of a group and individually," Messi wrote.
"Not for them to kick you out as they have done. But the truth is nothing surprises me any more."
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of Barca's LaLiga opener at home to Villarreal on Sunday, Koeman said: "It's normal that he is sad when a friend leaves the club.
"They have spent years together, but the important thing is how he is training and playing. He has been an example.
"He is affected, but he has returned with a lot of enthusiasm. And he is going to show it in the matches."
And asked about his conversation with Suarez, when he informed the Uruguayan he was not in the club's plans for this season, he said: "It seems like I'm the bad guy in the movie.
"I told him that he wasn't going to have minutes, but that if he stayed, I would count on him. It wasn't only my decision, but also that of the club.
"There are young players here who will have opportunities and that's part of football. Luis and I respect each other. He had the chance to leave and I wish him the best."
Read more
Barca vs Villarreal: Latest team news, prediction, TV and live stream
Atletico Madrid announce Luis Suarez transfer from Barcelona
Neymar backs Messi's attack of Barca board over Luis Suarez exit
Messi slams Barca for 'kicking out' Suarez: 'Nothing surprises me'
Suarez hints Messi should have been allowed to leave Barcelona
Luis Suarez in tearful farewell: I made history at Barcelona
