Luis Suarez rules out that he will still play football in Europe. The 35-year-old goal-getter returned to his native country this summer after 16 years of wandering, which feels like ‘closing a circle’ to him. In a big interview with marca Suárez looks back on his years in Spain, including the tense relationship with Ronald Koeman.
Suárez confirms his return to Nacional this summer was “an act of romance”. “I had many options (in Europe, ed.). A lot.. But the consideration behind the return to my country was this: FC Groningen, Ajax, Liverpool, Barça, Atlético; can you have a better European career? I would not have wanted to play for a less team than Atlético. The trajectory was perfect. I would have lowered the bar, so it seemed logical to return to Uruguay. To complete a circle,” said Suárez
The 134-time international therefore rules out a return to the European continent (and thus Ajax). He is happy at Nacional, given the love of the people and the fact that the club is competing for all the prizes. The ‘shocking’ peripheral conditions, such as the comparatively inferior dressing rooms, make little difference to Suárez. “It seems strange to step into a dressing room like that after playing in the top. But I was born in Uruguay and I am happy to have come out of a valley. It is true that it is not good for the image of the Uruguayan league. If you want to get top players from Europe, we can’t do that.”
The relationship between Suárez and Koeman
Suárez also looks back on his time in Spain. The striker is still disappointed with the way he has worked out the door at Barcelona. Suarez had such a good time at the Camp Nou when he was told to leave ahead of the 2020/21 season. In that regard, the veteran still criticizes the behavior of ex-trainer Koeman. “If I ran into him I would greet him out of courtesy and respect. But I hope he would have the magnificence to tell me the truth about my departure and that I didn’t have to leave for football or technical reasons.” , says Suarez.