Barcelona news: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez left stunned by Ernesto Valverde decision

Luis Suarez was on target for Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano as they came from a goal down to draw 1-1 after Saul Niguez had given the home side an early lead.

But Barca may have come away with maximum points had Valverde not tweaked his starting XI.

According to Spanish publication Diario Gol, Valverde’s decision to start Gomes did not go down well in the dressing room.

Gomes was handed his first start of the campaign against Atletico - a decision that Messi and Suarez were reportedly infuriated by with the stakes so high.

Meanwhile Denis Suarez, who has recorded two goals and two assists so far this season, was left to sit on the bench and failed to play a single minute in their crunch clash.

The 23-year-old has impressed his Barca team-mates this term but Valverde’s decision to drop him for one of their biggest tests of the season so far has caused friction in the dressing room.

While Messi and Luis Suarez acknowledge Gomes’ talents, they do not feel he suits Barca’s playing style.

Messi and Gomes’ relationship already appears strained following reports in the Spanish press earlier this week that the latter had claimed the Argentine picks Barca’s team.

However, Gomes denied the claims.

He said: "I have not said anything against Messi nor the manager, Valverde. It's all been invented.

“I have too much respect for Valverde and for Leo to say something like that.”

Despite Barca dropping points at the weekend and Real Madrid recording a 2-1 victory over Getafe, the Catalan side still sit five points clear of the Bernabeu outfit at the top of the table.