LIONEL MESSI and Luis Suarez have reunited for the first time since the latter completed his move to Atletico Madrid last month.
Barcelona unceremoniously ditched the Uruguayan striker, despite the ex-Liverpool star having provided six years of excellent service.
Messi was pictured arriving at Barcelona airport
Suarez also got out of the car as the pair were reunited
Messi, 33, hit out at his club’s board following the transfer, insisting that his friend ‘deserved better’.
But perhaps distance has only made their hearts grow fonder, as the best pals travelled to Barcelona airport together to travel to South America for international duty.
Messi, who is eligible after having his suspension overturned, will face Ecuador and Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers with Argentina.
Suarez, 33, meanwhile, will face Chile in Montevideo – before travelling to Ecuador.
The duo actually faced off against each other in their last international match – both scoring in the 2-2 draw between their respective nations in November last year.
But this time around, Suarez will fly back to Madrid, rather than returning to Barcelona with Messi.
Upon Suarez’s departure, Messi wrote on Instagram: “I was already getting the idea but today I entered the locker room and the news became real.
“How difficult it is going to be not to continue sharing the day to day with you, both on the pitch and outside.
Messi and Suarez played together for six years Credit: Reuters
The superstars’ families are closeCredit: AP:Associated Press
“We will miss them so much. It was many years, many lunches, dinners… many things that will never be forgotten, every day together.
“It will be strange to see you with another shirt and much more to face you.
“You deserved to be praised for what you are: one of the most important players in the club’s history, achieving important things both as a group and individually.
“And not to get kicked out like they did. But the truth is that at this point nothing surprises me.
“I wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you very much, I love you very much. See you soon friend.”
The pair even holidayed together in July, boarding a yacht near Ibiza with wives Antonela Rocuzzo and Sofia Balbi.
And they are next due to face off when Atletico host Barcelona on November 22.
The pals enjoyed a yacht holiday together near Ibiza in the summerCredit: Splash News
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk