Luis Suárez: "I'm going to continue competing"

Luis Suárez had it clear.

In fact, it has always been clear to him, as if it were part of his DNA: he wants to fight.

“I feel qualified to compete in the League and I am really looking forward to it.

More after the last year.

I will continue to compete, with enthusiasm and new goals, ”explained the 33-year-old forward, on his farewell to Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

The Uruguayan arrived at the press room Ricard Maxenchs accompanied by President Josep Maria Bartomeu.

His family waited seated, along with his close friend Leo Messi and the other three Barça captains: Busquets, Piqué and Sergi Roberto.

Nor did Jordi Alba want to miss it.

"It is very difficult for me," Suárez started, broken by tears;

“I leave many friends here.

A human being who has feelings leaves.

Thanks to my family, who are the ones who have endured and lived everything with me.

The good they have enjoyed and the bad they have always encouraged me.

But I keep everything cute.

That my children see me lift trophies and celebrate goals, that they see me next to the best in history.

That for me is going to stay.

Thank the fans for all the affection, which values ​​me, and that I will never forget.

Many thanks also to

.

They will always have one more culé wherever they are ”.

Before, with a face of circumstance, head down, Bartomeu had taken the floor.

"It's a very special day.

Nobody is aware that, because of his charisma and because of the feeling we have, it is a very special day.

He is a legend in the history of the club, with 13 titles and the third top scorer.

He has given us so much that today we have enormous gratitude ”, said the president.

Luis Suárez avoided crossing the glance with the Barcelona boss.

“In case of reproaching you for something about your time at Barça, what would it be?” They asked the 9. “Me?

Or to…? ”Suárez resolved and nodded towards Bartomeu.

“We have to be self-critical in the Champions League.

I have played with discomfort, with injuries ... but I don't blame myself for anything.

I'm proud ”, he continued.

But Suárez was again consulted about his gesture to the president.

“It was jokingly.

Then have people grab it however they want.

Today is my farewell and I'm not going to please anyone ", he resolved.

The Uruguayan wanted not to stain his goodbye with reproaches to the Board.

In any case, he did not hide his distancing from the board.

“It was a crazy month.

Many things have been invented and leaked, which have outraged me.

When the coach tells me that he doesn't count on me, I already knew it.

But I had to keep working ”, explained Luis Suárez.

“I leave with the feeling that I have fulfilled.

I have overcome great players and I am happy to leave a nice image.

I want to be remembered for all the good things I have left at the club, ”said the forward, the club's third highest scorer (198 goals).

Luis Suárez is already the history of Barcelona.

The bridge between Luis Suárez and Barcelona, ​​which was completed in the summer of 2014 when Barça signed him for 81 million euros, began in 2002. Sofía Balbi's family, his wife and at that time his girlfriend, moved to Hospitalet (later they would move to Castelldefels) to haggle the economic crisis in Uruguay.

At the age of 16, when he was still playing in the youth teams of Nacional de Montevideo, the footballer asked the managers of the Uruguayan club to help him visit his girlfriend.

The Catalan capital captivated Suárez and when his football jumped to Europe whenever he could, he walked through Barcelona and even the Camp Nou.

"Barça plays here ...", Suárez was surprised, as he looked at the Estadi from outside.

Until one day he saw an open door and did not want to settle.

"We will enter!

Let's go in! ”Luis told Sofía, all excited.

He started to run and, as his wife didn't know what to do, she followed him.

They reached the stands and looked at the field where Ronaldinho was ruling at that time.

“My dream is to play at the Camp Nou.

I'm a Barça fan ”, the Uruguayan repeated.

And he played for Barça.

When Luis Enrique arrived at the Camp Nou he asked the sports director, Andoni Zubizarreta, for a forward.

The club negotiated with Kun Agüero, but finally closed the signing of the Uruguayan.

It was not an easy moment to bet on the Uruguayan, who was on target after being sanctioned after his bite of Chiellini.

"I am grateful that the club trusted me at a difficult time in my career," Suárez stressed.

Six years and 13 titles later he says goodbye.

“It's hard to accept to leave.

But it is reality and it is the things that happen in the world of football, "he added.

The next destination of the 9 is the Wanda Metropolitano.

“I have spoken with Diego [Simeone] and with Antoine [Griezmann].

I am leaving with great enthusiasm and expectations.

[Atlético] has always been fighting for the League, which reflects that it is a competitive and ambitious team.

I hope to achieve something important in a new team ”, concluded Luis Suárez.