Luis Suarez confirms he and Lionel Messi had Barcelona return plan
Luis Suarez admits he and Lionel Messi dreamed of retiring at Barcelona rather than belatedly reuniting as Inter Miami players.
Suarez, 36, signed for the MLS club late last year and became the fourth former Barcelona player to join the team. Messi started the trend last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer before soon being joined by Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets midway through the season in the United States.
The quartet were all teammates in the Catalan capital for six years. Together, they won the Copa del Rey and La Liga four times and one Champions League in the 2014/15 season to complete the second treble in club history, more than any other team in Europe.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi makes feelings clear on Cristiano Ronaldo encounter in Saudi Arabia
READ MORE: Inter Miami line up another ex-Barcelona star as MLS side to continue spending
Hakim Ziyech brutally denied deadline day transfer as PSG furious at Chelsea
But in 2020, Suarez fell out of favour under new head coach Ronald Koeman and left to join Atletico Madrid. A year later, Messi moved too, joining PSG.
Speaking at an introductory press conference on Saturday following his first Inter Miami training session, Suarez recalled his surprise at how their time at the club ended. “I didn't imagine that we were going to be together again because I thought Leo would end his career at Barca," he said in Spanish.
"In 2019, we imagined winning everything at Barcelona and dreamed of retiring there. First, I left, and then everyone [Alba, Busquets and Messi] left behind me." Suarez also spoke about how his former teammates played a part in his decision to join them in South Beach.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez spent six years as Barcelona teammates together (Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)“Everyone has their life and their family; they spoke to me very well; they are very happy," he said. "It costs some more, others less.
"Sergio was the first time he went out, and the change can be a bit difficult, but today he told me that the children are fine, which is important. Jordi also, after so many years in Barcelona, a very big change, three children, is difficult.
"Leo was more used to it, and I am even more used to it than them because of the changes I have made [in my career]. I can advise them more than they can advise me about what life is like outside."
All four trained together for the first time on Thursday since their days at Barcelona. Suarez shared his memories of that period while looking ahead to making more memories in Miami.
“It's nice to remember the great moments that we lived together in the club that we all dreamed of, Barcelona," he said. "Another reason is to meet them again.
"That image [of them sitting smiling together on a bench] brings back a nice memory, and it's time to show it on the field. We are very ambitious and professional; we are committed.
Chelsea sign eight stars but lose one as January transfer window closes
“We have to dream big, and why not dream of the four titles [CONCACAF Champions League, Leagues Cup, MLS Cup and US Open Cup]. It depends on us; we have to show it on the field.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
