Barcelona confirm Luis Suarez transfer to Atletico Madrid leaving only Lionel Messi as part of legendary MSN trio

NOU beginnings mean no more old gold for Barcelona as they confirmed tearful Luis Suarez is joining Atletico Madrid – leaving Lionel Messi as the last MSN survivor.

After football’s most famous ever front three lost Neymar to PSG in 2017, 33-year-old Suarez has been forced out for a cut-price £5.5million.

Reuters

Ex-Liverpool hero Luiz Suarez could not hide his feelings as he departed the Nou Camp after six years [/caption]

Reuters

Luis Suarez was clearly upset as he arrived and left Barcelona training for the last time before joining LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid[/caption]

The LaLiga giants said in a statement: “FC Barcelona would like to publicly express their gratitude to Luis Suárez for his commitment and dedication and wishes him all the best for the future…

“Luis Suarez is leaving Barca after six glorious seasons. 

“He has played a key role in winning no fewer than thirteen major trophies.”

Suarez, Neymar and Messi – who might only remain for this season after his summer bid to depart – notched 364 goals in their three campaigns together at the Nou Camp.

And ironically, in Atletico, ex-Liverpool frontman Suarez is joining one of the clubs Barcelona have been most resistant to selling to – perhaps second in reluctance only to fiercest rivals Real Madrid.

Juventus were the hot tips to sign Suarez after new Barca boss Ronald Koeman shortlisted the Uruguay legend for the exit door following last month’s 8-2 Champions League quarter-final defeat against eventual tournament Bayern Munich.

But as Suarez wiped away tears to say goodbye at Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper facilities, the collapse of that deal and Atletico’s resulting intervention showed how quickly football can move.

His partnership with Messi and Neymar will live long in the minds of fans, but it was Barca’s rapid decline post-lockdown that left his dream stay at the Nou Camp crumbling just as fast.