Lionel Messi has wished Ernesto Valverde luck for the future after the coach left Barcelona, calling his former boss a "top professional and top person."
Barca, following a defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana, decided to part ways with Valverde on Monday, with Quique Setien swiftly named as his replacement .
Former Athletic Bilbao boss Valverde took over Barca in 2017 and guided the club to successive La Liga titles plus a Copa del Rey success.
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However, a dramatic capitulation to Liverpool in last season's Champions League semi-finals, followed by a defeat to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final, put Valverde under scrutiny and, despite being top of La Liga, Barca fired the coach after missing out on another title in the form of the Supercopa.