Gerard Pique says photographs posted on social media this week by Barcelona players with Neymar should not be interpreted as a message to the club's board.
Hours after Barca had announced they were suing Neymar for a breach of his contract following his move to Paris Saint-Germain, images appeared of Pique, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, among others, at a party at the Brazil international's home in the Catalan city.
Some felt the images -- which included Neymar recreating Pique's now infamous "Se queda" tweet -- were a way of the Barcelona players showing their support for their former teammate, as opposed to the club.
However, Pique was keen to downplay that theory, pointing out that Neymar remains a close friend despite his world-record transfer to PSG earlier this month.
"These are things that happen, it's a coincidence," Pique told Sport. "The club are going to court with Neymar, but we were at a party [with him] and no one had communicated anything to us. They were normal photos.
"Neymar is a former teammate but he's also a friend. If we want to send messages to the board, we will do it in private and we will sit down with the club. We don't need to use social media. It's all been taken out of context.
"We're not angry with the club nor is there a lack of communication. I have already said we all have to be together and I am sure the work that the board are doing is the best they can do."
Asked if he could sympathise with fan frustration at the images, Pique added: "As a supporter, I understand there are some people that are annoyed with how Neymar left.
"But regardless of that, friendship is important. Just because he leaves in one way or another doesn't mean we're going to give up our friendship with him. He's a good friend of the squad and going to party with him, which was for the kids, and sharing a few photographs doesn't do any damage.
"At the end of the day, a club has paid his buyout clause and he decided to leave. Our friendship with Neymar is still intact."
Pique also removed blame from the club for that clause being accessible to PSG at €222 million, pointing out that there were two parties involved in the negotiations and that perhaps Neymar "wanted to keep the door semi-open in case he wanted to leave."
However, he does not expect Messi to head out of the Barcelona exit door, despite the fact the forward has still not signed the contract extension he agreed with the club in July.
"Everyone has the right to sign when they want," the defender said. "We hope it will be as soon as possible. I'm not worried at all about his renewal because I know him and how he is. He loves the club more than anyone."