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Luis Suárez cannot control his emotions. image: barcatvplus screenshot
“The end of an era” – Luis Suárez says goodbye crying to Barcelona
In the end, Luis Suárez got the exit from Barcelona that he deserves. The 33-year-old Uruguayan, who no longer plays an important role in the plans of the new coach Ronald Koeman and, therefore, will move to Atlético de Madrid for just 6 million euros, officially fired today after six years at the Blaugrana club .
Before that, there had been a real mud fight over his departure. The “Marca” reported an internal power struggle with the club’s coach, Josep Maria Bartomeu, who in no case wanted to let Suárez go on to compete in the league. For the top scorer there was even a list of clubs that were not allowed to change. Including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris St-Germain and Atlético de Madrid, with whom Bartomeu has had anything but a good relationship since the loan of Griezmann.
In the end, however, Bartomeu had to give in and that is why today there was a conciliatory separation. When he said goodbye, Suárez, his wife Sofia Balbi and their children returned to step on the Camp Nou pitch, where he posed for photos with the 14 trophies he had won.
Suárez with family and drinks. image: barcatvplus screenshot
Definitely play against Barça
The top scorer then commented on his transfer on the club’s own TV station and the otherwise pretty cool Uruguayan got very excited. «I leave many friends here. A person who has feelings leaves. Many thanks to my family who put up with everything with me. Ups and downs, ”Suarez said through tears. It was a wonderful time. «That my children see me win titles and play alongside the best in history … that will stay forever. Thanks to the fans for all the love. I will never forget that.”
He is also grateful to the club for the support after his misstep at the 2014 World Cup, when he bit Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder and was suspended for months. “The club always gave me a lot of confidence.” He is aware that Barça is currently at the “end of an era”, “but I am proud of everything we have achieved. Playing here was a dream. “
Suarez explained that Koeman had made it clear to him fairly quickly over the phone that he did not plan to work with him during the renovation. «The club needs a change and the coach did not count on me. But I want to show that I can still play at the highest level. “That is why he did not accept one of the many offers from abroad.” It sounds ironic, but I really wanted to go to a club where I can play against Barcelona and Real Madrid. “
“Leo feels strange”
But he still hasn’t thought about what it will be like to play against his ex-club. “It will certainly be special, but I am looking forward to facing Atlético’s new challenge.” Especially for friend Lionel Messi, Suárez’s departure will weigh heavily, because the two are very good friends off the pitch. “Leo knows what I think and I know what he thinks,” explained Suárez. “We are old enough to give each other advice. Leo feels a little strange because I am going to a direct rival, but nothing will change in our relationship. “
Together with the rest of the captain team around Gerard Piqué, Sergi Roberto and Sergio Busquets, as well as the left-back Jordi Alba, Messi accompanied his teammate in his farewell. In the end there were conciliatory words, somewhat surprisingly, from President Bartomeu, who even promised Suárez a farewell game: “I hope that is possible,” he said.
Bartomeu also apparently did not miss the fact that with Suárez not every player leaves FC Barcelona. The Uruguayan, who moved from Liverpool to Barcelona in the summer of 2014, immediately became a top scorer for the Spanish club. With 40 goals, he was the top scorer in the Spanish championship in the 2015/16 season, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He scored 16 more times last season. With 198 goals in 283 games, Suárez is the third best scorer in the club’s history after Lionel Messi (634) and César Rodríguez (232).
But “El Pistolero” not only shone as executor, but also as preparer. In addition to his 198 goals, he had an impressive 109 assists for a forward. With Barcelona, Suárez has won the Spanish championship and the Copa del Rey four times, the Super Cup twice, and the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup once each.
