08/22/2020 - 9:07
- Clarín.com
- sports
Bayern Munich's beating of him just over a week ago in Lisbon blew up the fragile balance that held Lionel Messi's Barcelona up to that point. The defeat was followed by the dismissals of Quique Setién and technical secretary Eric Abidal, the call for elections in March and the appointment of the Dutch Ronald Koeman as the new coach. The next step is the preparation of the squad for the next season and there are several men of weight whose future is uncertain. One of them is Luis Suárez, who was extremely upset by this situation.
“There is talk of some names that the president gave, of changes that can be made, but nobody told me that they want to do without me. If this is the club's wish, it would be nice if the manager you choose speaks directly to me. It is better this way than filtering if I am one of those who want them to come out, ”the Uruguayan shot in an interview published this Saturday in the newspaper El País.
The forward, who has accumulated 1,198 goals with the Blaugrana shirt since his arrival in mid-2014 and is the third highest scorer in the history of Barcelona, made it clear that his will was to remain at the institution, give "the best for the club" and "Continue to contribute everything I can."
"But if the club decides that I am expendable, I have no problem talking to those who decide," explained the footballer, who made it clear that he had not yet had any contact with Koeman, who on Wednesday signed his contract and was introduced as coach from Barça.
Luis Suárez was harshly criticized for his performance in the game between Barcelona and Bayern Munich. (Photo: Rafael Marchante / Reuters)
Suárez, who has a contract until June 2021, was pointed out as one of those responsible for the elimination of his team from the Champions League and since then rumors about his departure have intensified. There was even talk of a possible return to Dutch Ajax, in which he played between 2007 and 2001, before moving to English Liverpool.
“When it is lost as it was lost in Lisbon, we are all responsible. It would not be fair to single out a single player. Sometimes you want to personalize, but I think no one will be able to question my commitment to Barcelona. It was a day when everything went wrong. We were overcome and we did not know how to fix it ”, argued the player of the Uruguayan team.
“I have felt the support of the people since I arrived and that gives me a lot of strength. I would accept a substitute role, as I have accepted throughout my career. Competition is always good and if the coach thinks I have to start from the bench, I have no problem helping the team with the role they give me. I can still contribute a lot to this club, "he said.
Luis Suárez also responded to those who criticize him for his friendship with Lionel Messi. (Photo: Manu Fernandez / EFE / EPA)
Suárez also drew a parallel with the harsh criticism of some emblematic Real Madrid players after their elimination at the hands of Ajax in the knockout stages of the Champions League. “It was said that (Toni) Kroos was finished, they wanted to retire (Luka) Modric, they said that (Sergio) Ramos was a disaster and suddenly no player was worth any more. And the following year everything went better for them and again they are phenomena and are part of a legendary team, "he said.
“It is already known that defeat is triggered against everything and everyone. Honestly I think there is a lack of coherence, patience and, above all, memory. When knowledge and arguments are lacking to explain things in depth, an easy and simple reason is usually drawn. And yes, I am a friend of Messi. It is a pride for me. There are no friends on the field, but teammates who are here to help us. Off the pitch, I am lucky to have an excellent person like Leo as a friend, "he said.