Luis Suarez: Atletico Madrid striker says he was not valued at Barcelona and that they understimated his ability
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/05/2021 at 11:51 GMT
Luis Suarez was picked up on a free transfer by newly-crowned La Liga champions Atletico Madrid on a free transfer. He has spearheaded the club's title push and scored decisive goals in the final two gameweeks to get Diego Simeone's side over the line. The 34-year-old has hit back at Barcelona, where he scored 198 goals in 283 appearances in six seasons, for not valuing him.
'I thank Atletico for trusting me' Suarez after he scores Liga winning goal
Luis Suarez says he was underestimated at Barcelona and not valued after scoring the winner that sealed Atletico Madrid the La Liga title on Saturday.
Atletico performed a dramatic second half comeback to beat Real Valladolid 2-1 to secure their first Spanish league title since 2014.
The turnaround was completed when Suarez was gifted the ball just inside the opposition half and he converted to secure Atletico their eleventh Liga title overall.
The Uruguay international says his family have suffered as a result of his surprise exit from Barcelona last summer, but has thanked Atletico for putting their faith in him.
"What I experienced was difficult. Barcelona didn’t value me, they underestimated me and Atletico opened the doors for me," the Uruguay forward told La Liga TV after the final whistle.
"I will always be grateful to this great club for trusting me. My wife, my children, they all suffered.
I have been playing football for so many years and they never suffered so much. It is an amazing feeling to perform in the final game of the season.
"My work is to help the team and pay them back by scoring goals.
"Atletico is a huge club and we have shown it this season. We have been the most consistent performers and that is why we are champions."
Atletico manager Diego Simeone said: "To stay top of the league for so long is an enormous achievement. I'm so grateful to the players, especially those who played less, as we had to stay united behind the same objective as a team, and we did that throughout."
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'Suarez is a killer inside the box' - Simeone
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