Future player of Atlético Madrid, Luis Suarez assured in tears to be "proud to have made history" of FC Barcelona during his farewell ceremony at the club organized this Thursday in Barcelona.
“Getting here and playing for Barça is a dream come true.
Reaching the figures I have reached, I did not imagine it, "said the 33-year-old Uruguayan international, third leading scorer in the history of the Catalan club (198 goals, behind César Rodriguez and Messi), alongside the president of the club Josep Maria Bartomeu.
"I am proud to have entered the history of this club, to be the third best scorer and to leave the way I am going", underlined Suarez, become since 2014 one of the best N.9 in the history of the blaugrana club, and who had to wipe away his tears before speaking.
“At FC Barcelona, you have to constantly shine to the max and you never know how many years that can last.
So I am proud to have held (so long) at this level and to have always performed in the best way, ”added the Uruguayan international center forward (113 caps), who abandons the club after six seasons in Catalonia. to join a direct contender for the La Liga title, Atlético Madrid (for EUR 6m in variable elements).
“When Barça communicated to me that they no longer counted on me, there were a lot of calls, but I felt able to go to a team that could compete on an equal footing with the two greats teams that are Barça and Real Madrid.
I had no doubts about it, ”detailed the“ gunslinger ”.
“When the club tells you it's not counting on you, you have to accept it.
It's hard, it takes a lot, but you have to accept it, it is the reality of what is happening in football, ”he insisted.
"I'm leaving with a lot of desire, with great enthusiasm, because this new challenge attracts me a lot," said the native of Salto.
Reunion scheduled in November
According to the Spanish press, the center forward is expected in the next few hours in Madrid, where he still has to pass his medical examination, sign his new contract and join his new team.
The next meeting against FC Barcelona with the Colchoneros is scheduled for November, as part of the 10th day of La Liga.
“Obviously (these matches) are special, when you face your old team, your friends, your ex-teammates who know you and whom you also know.
We will try to do the best we can each for his team, and it will be something beautiful, "predicted Suarez.
“Everyone knows the relationship we have, with Leo (Messi).
When I arrived in Barcelona, some people said "Be careful with Leo, with the attackers ...".
But now, after many years, Leo is doing wonderfully with this striker, ”Suarez swept away.
"I have faced him in the Uruguay - Argentina matches before, so it won't change our relationship, it won't alter the feelings we have for each other to face each other in complicated matches like the Atlético - Barça ”, concluded the center forward.
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