Luis Suárez spoke about his move to Atlético Madrid, and why he was upset about the directors of FC Barcelona, in a new interview with France Football magazine.
‘What really bothered me was that they told me that I was old and that I could no longer play at the highest level, but was part of a good team. That’s what displeased me, ‘the attacker said, reflecting on his summer transfer.
Suárez is now tied with Lionel Messi for the award for best scorer as Atlético, the leader of La Liga.
“On the one hand, this change was welcome because, after everything I experienced in Barça, I wanted to change,” he said.
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman reportedly called Suárez to inform him that the striker was not part of his plans for the upcoming season.
‘The most difficult thing is to have a family that has been used to living in the same place for six years. Having to explain to my kids that we are going to change if they have their friends and their habits in Barcelona was the hardest part.
“All the more so during a pandemic, with the current problems, especially with people here in Madrid. It complicates things, it is impossible to do extracurricular activities with the children, we have to stay at home. They miss their friends because they miss my wife’s family in Barcelona.
‘But you also have to see the positive side: I’m not going to be happy where people no longer want me. “Now my family feels that I am happy and that is the most important thing,” he said.
Atlético are relying on the 34-year-old striker to deliver the goods in their bid to defeat Real Madrid and Barcelona following another Spanish league title under Diego Simeone.
“What is essential is the mind. It is very important to be strong in your head and feel that you have the means to turn around difficult situations. It has always been one of my hallmarks: I never gave up, not even through difficult times.
‘It’s this character that pushed me to come to this team fighting for important things. One of my motivations was to be able to show that you still have to rely on me. It’s a matter of self – esteem. “After all the years in Barça, I wanted to show that I can still be useful at the highest level within the Spanish elite,” said Suárez.