Leivinha compares his debut 45 years ago with that of Luis Suárez

Former Brazilian soccer player Joao Leiva Campos Filho “Leivinha”, who played for Atlético de Madrid from 1975 to 1979, compared his debut with the rojiblanco team 45 years ago on Monday, when he scored three goals, with that of Uruguayan Luis Suárez, who this Sunday scored a double at the service of the colchoneros in the 6-1 victory over Granada.

“A gunner is like that. Not much has to be said to a player like this, “said Leivinha, 71, to EFE about the promising debut of Suárez, who, without having trained much with his teammates after his recent and surprising arrival at Atlético de Madrid, donned the shirt and was the protagonist on Sunday.

Something similar, 45 years ago, Leivinha lived when, without much training time, made his debut alongside his compatriot Luis Pereira on September 28, 1975 at the old Vicente Calderón stadium and scored three of the four goals with which Atlético de Madrid beat Salamanca 4-1.

Last Sunday, the day before the 45th anniversary of Leivinha's feat, Suárez assisted a goal, caused a penalty canceled by VAR and scored two in Atlético de Madrid's 6-1 victory over Granada.

“I consider Suárez going to Atlético de Madrid as an excellent signing, a great signing, and I hope he can score many goals “, said Leivinha, who in the 1970s was a scorer for Palmeiras and an idol for Atlético, where he remained until 1979.

Leivinha, a former Brazilian international, also highlighted the friendship of the Uruguayan striker with his nephew Lucas Leiva, current midfielder in the Italian League with Lazio in Rome and who was a teammate of Suárez in Liverpool in England.

“He is very good and is a good friend of Lucas Leiva from the time they both shared at Liverpool, where Suárez was quite a show and I am confident that he will do the same at Atlético de Madrid “, underlined the former idol of the mattress team.

“Messi will take new airs next season”

The former Brazilian player also considered that Suárez's motivation now at Atlético de Madrid, encouraged by his successful debut, can serve as an example to the Argentine idol of Barcelona, ​​Lionel Messi, who has already expressed his desire to leave the Catalan team. “Messi has been at Barcelona for a long time and, as Suárez left, I believe that in the next season Messi will also take new airs”, Leivinha predicted.