Atlectico Madrid super star Luis Suarez has proved critics at his former club Barcelona wrong following an incredible first season with the Roji Blancos.
Suarez has notched up 16 goals for Atletico so far this term, and they currently lead the Liga table with three points even though their form has dipped in recent weeks with just one win from their last four games.
The 34-year-old striker, who was part of Barcelona’s treble winning squad of 2014/15 season, has revealed the most hurting moment which led to his departure from the club; while also noting Barca erred in signing players not on an elite level.
“What really bothered me was when they told me that I was old and that I could no longer play at a high level, be up to [the task of fronting] a great team,” the former Liverpool man told France Football. “That’s what I did not like.”
The Uruguay international did give a good account of himself during his six-year stint with the Spanish giants; as his goal tally always stood at double figures every season. However, the striker’s peak campaign was in the 2015-16 season, when he netted an impressive 59 goals in all competitions.
Suarez continued: “If I hadn’t done anything at a club like Barca for three or four seasons, I would have understood,” he said. “But, every year at Barca, I scored more than 20 goals per season. I have always had good statistics, just behind Leo (Messi).
“Today, we can see that it is not easy to play at Barca … A lot of players who signed there did not have the level that was expected of them. Me, I played for six years at Barca maintaining a certain level and living up to what was expected of me.
“At Barca, circumstances have changed, the club needed changes. And I accepted it. The only thing that bothered me was the way [it happened]. I think I deserved some respect.
“It was a decision that I could not prevent. I felt like I was no longer being counted on, so with my pride I told myself that I was going to continue to show what I am worth. This is why the idea of going to Atletico, a competitive team, appealed to me.”
