After six years and 195 goals for the Blaugrana, Luis Suarez was eliminated from FC Barcelona in the summer for reasons of age. In an interview with “France Football”, the Uruguayan is shooting at his former employer: “I was told that I was too old and could no longer keep up at the top level. That really bothered me. “
Barça coach Ronald Koeman contacted Suarez by phone last summer and informed him that he would no longer expect him for the next season. The retirement at Barcelona came as a surprise to the 34-year-old: “If I hadn’t done anything for Barça in three or four years, I would have understood. But I scored my 20 goals every season and always had good statistics. ” If the contract runs for a few years and the club wants to sell you, that’s understandable, said Suarez. “But Barça just didn’t count on me anymore. They didn’t want me anymore. I’ve reached an age where I deserve a certain respect. “
“It is very important to be mentally strong”
The vicious striker moved to Atletico Madrid in September for around 5 million francs. “After everything that has happened, the transfer is a welcome change,” emphasizes Suarez. However, relocating to Madrid was by no means easy: “The most difficult thing is when you have a family that is used to living in the same place for six years. Explaining to my children that we are going to move even though they are all around Barcelona, that was the hardest part. They miss their friends and my wife’s family in Barcelona. But they also feel that I am happy now, and that is the main thing. “
Suarez shows that he is still good enough for a top team this season in the shirt of leaders Atletico Madrid: The four-time La Liga winner has already scored 16 times for the Colchoneros. “It’s very important to be mentally strong. That has always been one of my qualities: I never gave up, even when I went through difficult times, ”said the 2015 Champions League winner, explaining his consistently strong form. “It’s about self-esteem. After all these years at Barça, I wanted to show that I can still be useful at the highest level. ” (Tim)