Luis Suarez tearfully thanks Atletico Madrid, says Barcelona 'underestimated' him

Atletico Madrid striker Luis Suarez emotionally thanked the club for believing in him after they sealed the La Lia title on Saturday. Suarez joined Atletico at the beginning of the 2020-21 season but the circumstances surrounding his departure from Barcelona were acrimonious. Suarez was told his services were no longer needed and allowed to leave on a cut-price deal. Indeed, the Catalan club paid the difference in his wages, so desperate were they to see him go. Fittingly, it was Suarez who scored Atletico’s winner vs Real Valladolid as they clinched the league on the final day. And afterwards, he couldn’t contain how much the moment meant to him.

“It’s a lot of things. It was difficult, the situation I had to go through,” Suarez told Movistar while on the verge of tears.

“At the start of the season, with the way I was underestimated, Atletico Madrid opened the door for me, to keep showing that I’m still valid. That’s why I’ll always be grateful to this great club for trusting in me.

“A lot of people have suffered with me. My wife, my kids, they’re with me day-to-day. I’ve been in football for many years and this is the year they’ve suffered the most.”

‘That is Luis Suarez’

Suarez’s departure from Barcelona was not well-received by fans or experts. Even Barca skipper Lionel Messi hit out at the club over the manner of his departure.

But with a fire lit under him, Suarez went out and proved that there’s still fight left in the old dog. His 21 goals were key to Atletico’s second league title in 7 years.

“We’ve shown again that Atletico had a great year, despite the difficulties we had at some stages of the season. We’ve shown we were the best team, the most consistent, and that’s why we’re champions.”

Atletico led La Liga table since December but suffered a dip in form. As a result, the title race went to the final weekend.

“It’s special, because of everything I had to suffer,” Suarez said, comparing this league win to the four he won with Barca.

“My statistics are there. Five out of seven league titles. That is Luis Suarez.”