Atletico Madrid signing Luis Suarez has thanked former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi for his support last week.

Messi has voiced his outrage over the way Suarez has been treated by Barca this summer.

And the Uruguayan stated yesterday on social media: "Thank you, friend, for your words, but thank you for being the way you are, for what you were from the first day with me and my family.

"I will always be grateful to Messi the human - funny and sentimental - because everyone knows the player.

"Do not forget what I told you: 'Continue enjoying yourself and demonstrating that you're number one', and don't let two, three or four tarnish the giant that you are for the club and for the world of football.

"I love you very much, my friend, and we are going to miss you five [Messi, his wife and their three children]."