Luis Suarez has not yet forgiven Ronald Koeman for the way he was treated last year. In the run-up to the squatter with Barcelona, the 34-year-old attacker of Atlético Madrid again lashes out at the Barcelona trainer. “I don’t forget that they let me train individually in preparation last year,” said Suárez in conversation with TVE1.
Suarez had to leave Barcelona last year despite a permanent contract. The Uruguayan seemed to be on his way to Juventus for a while, but was eventually picked up by Atlético. Suárez took the ultimate revenge on Barcelona by winning the championship with the Madrilenians in his first season and is getting his shit on Spanish TV. “The contemptuous way Koeman has treated me has hurt me,” Suárez said. “He treated me like a fifteen-year-old child.”
After the defeat at Benfica (3-0) last Wednesday, the pressure on Koeman has increased further. The name of Xavi is singing around as a possible successor to the Dutchman, but Suárez does not recommend that the icon of Barcelona. “I don’t think now is the time to take over the team,” said Suarez. “He has to wait for the right moment. He has people around him with whom he will have to make this difficult decision. I see him as a very capable trainer.”
Suárez never won the Ballon d’Or in his career, but he says it is not that bad. “I am above individual prizes that are awarded based on votes,” said the former Ajax player. “I’ve always said: I won the Golden Boot twice in the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. I’m proud that I won it on the basis of prizes, not because people are on me voted, that gives a lot of value to me.”
Suarez is very proud of his career anyway. “I took my responsibility at Barcelona. When Leo (Messi, ed.) was not there, I scored three goals against Real Madrid. At Liverpool I did something similar without Steven Gerrard,” said Suarez, who may be referring to the 0-0. 5 in 2013 against Tottenham Hotspur, in which he scored two goals. “I was already captain of Ajax when I was 21 or 22. I have enough to be proud of.”