Barcelona repeated Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo mistake

Ronald Koeman’s arrival at Barcelona has certainly seen some positive changes, with the squad’s latest remontada against Sevilla showing a dynamic shift in mentality compared to performances in recent seasons.

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While the squad is certainly united under Koeman, there is a lot more room for improvement. Many believe that the Dutch coach would have managed a lot more if the club was not struggling financially and ensured a couple of signings in the last transfer window especially in the areas of defense and attack.

One of Koeman’s initial actions as a Barca coach was to remove many aging players including striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan recently revealed that the Spanish giants did not believe in his ability to score goals but Suarez proved them all wrong as he stands just behind Lionel Messi in La Liga’s top scorer list for this season.

This decision by Koeman and the former management has proven to be disastrous as Suarez alongside Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have a 5 point lead over Barca with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Barca are struggling to convert the many chances they create during a match, which is often costed them games and points.

Barcelona made a huge mistake dropping Suarez

Former Atletico Madrid striker and fellow Uruguayan, Diego Forlan, believes that Barca’s decision to drop Suarez is reminiscent of how Real Madrid let Cristiano Ronaldo leave for Juventus.

"“Barcelona are missing Luis, it’s like when Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid,”Source Goal"

Many believe that the current Los Blancos are struggling without their Portuguese star, and would have been favorites in all tournaments if they had not let Cristiano leave, Forlan felt the same way about Barca and Suarez.

"“Of course it was a huge mistake. As soon as Barcelona said he was for sale, I knew it was a mistake. All I know is it wasn’t about his performances on the pitch.” Forlan spoke to AFP"

Forlan also revealed that he contact Suarez after the news of his Barca contract being terminated came out.

"“I messaged him and said, ‘Listen, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last. You have to keep being yourself. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone so just keep doing it at Atletico Madrid.”“But when you get punished for something you didn’t do, when you’re still in great shape, playing well, of course your aim is going to be to show that you can still perform.”"

While Barca have improved a lot since their poor start to the current season, it is no doubt that the Catalans could have faired a lot better with Suarez as their no. 9. Forlan believes that this mistake of Barca is just like Real Madrid’s as both the Spanish giants are now struggling while Bayern Munich and Manchester City now look to favorites to win the Champions League.

Did Barca make a mistake by letting Suarez leave?