Luis Suarez: Barcelona and Liverpool ‘killer’ – adored by Lionel Messi and Steven Gerrard – who is so good Gerard Pique doesn’t care he bites

Luis Suarez is now enjoying a new chapter in his extraordinary career after joining Atletico Madrid and he is now set to face Chelsea in the Champions League – live on talkSPORT.

The 34-year-old striker left Barcelona in the summer window as the club’s third top scorer in its illustrious history and his exit has been frustrated – from Lionel Messi in particular.

He was supposed to join Juventus, but his move was unsuccessful due to passport issues.

His change to Atletico was in jeopardy at one point when Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu stepped in over fears the Uruguayan would join a rival.

But after threatening to take his grievances to the media, he forced the Catalan club to back down and let him join Atleti.

For most players that would be high drama, but for Suarez, it was only a Wednesday.

And his connection to manager Diego Simeone in Madrid has been a match made in heaven.

Suarez has 16 goals and two assists in LaLiga, making him the division’s co-top scorer alongside his friend and former teammate Lionel Messi.

It’s a form that certainly proves that the Catalan giants were in too much of a hurry to sell it.

Luis Suarez has said emotional goodbye to Barcelona after six illustrious seasons The striker’s scintillating and trophy-laden career will be remembered as much for scandal as for goals.

Having become one of the greatest strikers in world football at Liverpool and Barcelona, ​​his mercurial talent has never been questioned.

But too often his behavior on the pitch has made headlines in unwanted newspapers. You can’t bite people, Luis.

Two high-profile bite incidents, on Branislav Ivanovic and Giorgio Chiellini, as well as racism accusations against Patrice Evra have made Suarez one of the most hated figures in world football over the years.

Let’s not forget his deliberate handball, and the celebration that followed, at the 2010 World Cup for denying everyone’s second team – Ghana – a place in the semi-finals.

Even Liverpool fans started booing him during their Champions League clash with Barcelona in 2019!

But while we the fans may never get warm to Suarez, his teammates and managers have loved and adored him over the years.

Lionel messi

Suarez has been the perfect partner in crime for arguably the greatest player of all time over the years, and that has not been lost on Messi.

The two South Americans are also close friends off the pitch, so Suarez can’t be that bad.

The Ballon d’Or fanatic said: “He is the best away striker in the game today. He has so much to offer the team and it is a pleasure to play alongside him. We also have a great relationship off the pitch and I’m very happy to share everything with him.

Thierry Henry

From iconic striker to iconic striker, Henry compared Suarez to his former Barcelona teammate Samuel Eto’o.

For top players like Suarez, Henry and Eto’o, it’s not just about goals.

“Suarez has it all, he’s fighting, good movement, he’s the right age and obviously he’s scoring goals,” said the Frenchman. “He gives something to the team, which especially in Barcelona is very important. It’s the hard work Samuel Eto’o was doing, not just the goals.

Xavi

The best playmakers need the best forwards – and vice versa.

They don’t come much better than Xavi, who also compared Suarez to Eto’o due to his “ bad mood. ”

“He has goals in his blood,” said the legendary midfielder. “I said more would come. He will start to score goals. He reminds me a little, with his killer instinct to harm other teams, of Samuel Eto’o, this bad mood, this personality, this perseverance.

Gerard pique

Suarez is so good that Gerard Pique doesn’t even care that he bites people!

He admitted, “I don’t care if he bites. I don’t care if he’s ever been bitten. He knows it’s not the right way to behave, but as a player he’s in the top three or five forwards in the world so I’m really happy to have him on my squad.

Steven gerrard

The Liverpool legend has played with incredible talents: Xavi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano.

But none of his former teammates were better than Suarez.

He said: “I don’t think anyone is ever looking forward to playing against Luis Suarez, he’s a fantastic talent and a very dangerous player. He’s a fantastic teammate, probably the best player I’ve ever played.

Luis Enrqiue

Bad behavior aside, Suarez is a manager’s dream, with a work ethic that comes with magic.

So much so that former Barcelona boss Enrique called him “indispensable”.

Former Barcelona and current Spain boss said: “Luis is an assassin from the penalty area, a killer, able to solve any situation that arises in the area. Considering also the pressure he exerts on defenders by shutting them down and the way he encourages others, then it is indispensable.