Barcelona's decision to boot Luis Suarez out this summer shocked football fans. 

The South American striker has been one of the Blaugrana's best players for the last six seasons, netting 198 goals in 283 games. 

He also formed a brilliant partnership with Lionel Messi too. 

Together, the duo won countless trophies, including four La Liga titles, four Copa del Reys, the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League. 

Yet, Barcelona were so desperate to push Suarez out of the door that they allowed him to join rivals Atletico Madrid for just €6 million. 

But just why were the club happy to let one of their greatest ever players go? 

Perhaps the squad needed an overhaul? After all, Suarez is 33 now and arguably far past his peak.

Suarez was booted out of Barcelona

Maybe Ronald Koeman wants his team to play a new style or a different brand of football, one that the Uruguayan doesn't fit?

There could be many issues, but according to Suarez himself, the reason he left is more sinister. 

"I think they wanted to remove me from Messi’s side," he told ESPN.

Suarez and Messi played together for six years

"Maybe it annoyed them that I had a good relationship with Leo. Perhaps they didn’t want him to be with me so much.

"I can’t find any reason to think that would damage the team, though.

"We looked for each other constantly on the pitch, but for the good of the team. Maybe they wanted him to play with more team-mates. 

Messi could have been told to play with other players

"That could have something to do with it. I can’t find any other reason to want to separate us because we got on well on the pitch."

So, it seems Suarez was booted out of Barcelona because he was good friends with Messi and the pair created a brilliant partnership on the pitch. How odd. 

It's a decision that sits badly with the player too, who claims he 'spent days crying' after finding out he'd be leaving. 

Suarez was forced out of Barcelona

"I spent days crying because of the situation that I was going through," he said, per Marca.

"[After] how much I'd enjoyed it, how much I was valued as a player, how much I was loved, how I felt the warmth of the club that gave me a thousand amazing moments. From my debut... I have great memories."