Luis Suárez (Salto, Uruguay, 1987) has regained his smile at Atlético. The forward attends AS to assess his first months at the rojiblanco club, the reasons for deciding on the mattress offer and his complicated departure from Barcelona, a rival who will be measured soon in LaLiga and against whom he would not celebrate a goal out of respect. An Athletic that he sees prepared to fight for everything, and more with the great level of João Félix, and that he has received him with open arms, from the president to the fan, through the coach and the squad.
What balance do you make of these first months at Atlético?
Very good. At the beginning, with everything that a change like this entails for the family, looking for a school and looking for a house. But the club has given me a spectacular service. It has made things very easy for me. I am comfortable and enjoying everything.
El Cholo commented that the change in the team's style towards a more offensive version is largely due to its characteristics, to supply it with balls near the area. Do you feel key in its scheme?
I have to adapt to what the coach asks of me and what the circumstances of the game lead to. In this case, if you are surrounded by very great players who are unbalanced and are able to get balls to the area, welcome. The coach is the one who decides when playing and I feel key in the sense that I come to help. To contribute my granite to a great club that aspires to important things and I hope I can meet the expectations of what is expected of me.
Do you think this team is ready to fight for all the titles and compete with Madrid and Barça?
The reality of football is that Atlético has been fighting for years to be at the top, to fight important things. He was unlucky enough to lose finals, he has won a league a few years ago and in recent seasons he has fought it with Barça and Madrid. If you believe and one is convinced that it has a good squad, with competitive players …
What has impressed you the most about the club?
How competitive the teammates are on a day-to-day basis is a positive. Supporting the one who plays to death. You feel that and it is very important for the group. If the team convinces itself, we can achieve important things.
Has João Félix and his good connection on the field surprised you?
It doesn't surprise me, because already at Benfica he showed the kind of player he was at such a young age. It is not easy when you come from abroad and in its first year, which was adaptation, left great quality details. I think this year is starting to get people excited. He feels very confident. If the rest of us help and dress you as you need, you can make a difference. But he doesn't have to put all the responsibility on him: if we are a team and we all contribute what we should, I think that will be beneficial for him and for everyone.
“If the rest of us help and clothe him as he needs, João Félix can make a difference”
Suarez
After the break they play against Barcelona, would you celebrate a goal if you scored?
I would not celebrate it, out of respect for my teammates and a club that has given me a lot. Obviously it is special, for facing many friends. But I am going to defend the Atlético shirt to the death as I have defended all the shirts of the teams in which I have played. I'm enjoying it a lot and I'm looking forward to continuing to show what kind of player I am worldwide.
He will meet again with his great friend Messi. How is your relationship now?
We keep talking often. But we talk about life. Of what is happening today. The other day was my son's birthday and his recently and we talked about those things too. We have a good relationship and we don't just talk about football. We try to support each other on personal and emotional issues.
It seems that he is not having his best start to the season and perhaps he is somewhat downcast in games.
He is 33 years old and knows how to deal with every situation. I see him with the same enthusiasm that I saw him before. Enjoying and not lowering your arms, which is important. Because, although sometimes the ball does not want to enter, it keeps trying. That says a lot about him.
“I see Messi with the same illusion that I saw him before”
Suarez
What do you think of Setién's words saying that Messi is difficult to manage?
I prefer not to comment, because it is to make a bigger wheel than it is made. All the colleagues who live with Leo can speak wonders of him. About the kind of player he is and what a great human being he is off the field. He helps young people a lot, gives them advice … All the players who were with him speak wonders. That says a lot about how he is as a person and as a player in the dressing room.
Piqué said that Bartomeu's departure was necessary. What did you feel the day you announced your resignation?
The reality is that what happens in Barcelona does not concern me much. Today I am at Atlético and I defend this shirt. I prefer to be on the sidelines of what happens there.
How was your relationship with Koeman after telling him that he should leave?
The relationship I had with Koeman was one of professionalism. He told me at the time (that he should leave, through a phone call) and I told him that until he looked for a solution he had the right to continue training at the club. I spent three weeks training with the total professionalism that corresponds to me, without looking for any but. They sent me to train separately and I trained, he understood because he knew my situation.
“The relationship I had with Koeman was one of professionalism”
Suarez
Was there the option of staying at Barcelona?
When the time came, he told me that if we didn't find an outcome it would be one of the group, but I wanted to find a solution, find my way and luckily I found it. What we had was mutual respect, I towards him for the decision he made as a coach and he towards me for fulfilling the role of professional to continue training and without bothering or making any complaint about the situation he was experiencing.
Luis Suarez.
clubatleticodemadrid.com
And at that moment, how did Simeone convince you to come to Atlético?
I don't think there was much to convince. When you feel loved on one side, the coach shows interest and the club also shows that one is still worth as a player. They value you like they weren't doing it elsewhere and that's important. Later, arriving and being treated the way they treated me is admirable, spectacular and that makes me feel good and makes me feel much more eager and confident to live this beautiful challenge.
If Messi leaves Barça, can you imagine convincing him together with Cholo to come to Atleti?
I will always say, Leo is mature enough to make the decisions he has to make. I will never ask him anything, on the contrary, I will always defend that where he is happy, he is happy, that he makes the decision he makes. If at some point the possibility comes up, then let him know, obviously I am going to speak wonders of the club. But later, when it comes to raising something, I think it is he who has to decide and where he is happy will be the best.
It has started very well in LaLiga. Can you see the Pichichi fighting?
They are numbers that help the team to have the possibility of being at the top, with the illusion of wanting to reach the final goal, which is to achieve important things. If it is with goals, they are welcome, because the forward lives with that, but I do not set it as a goal. My goal is to help the team, be it with goals, assists or when it goes through negative streaks, which the forwards go through, but we hope that this year is not the case.
“Leo is mature enough to make the decisions he has to make”
Suarez
You have arrived at Atlético and you share a dressing room with your compatriots Giménez and Torreira. Does it facilitate adaptation?
It is very important, because Giménez is a player who grew up at Atlético. He came from Uruguay very young, he shows his personality, how important he is for the team and for the group. We were unlucky that we were without him for two or three weeks due to the coronavirus issue, but when he has returned with Lucas we feel more comfortable. With Torreira we are getting used to and adapting to what life is like here, but enjoying this beautiful stage at Atlético.
Despite not being able to have them in the stands, do you get the illusion that you have awakened among the Atlético people?
The truth is that it is a shame everything that is being experienced worldwide. It is reality and that leads to us not being able to enjoy it either in football and it is a pity not to feel the affection of the people, to play with a full Wanda Metropolitano and to feel the heat that the Atlético people make you feel. From the little that I walk the streets, you realize that they value you. You feel proud that people see that you are trying to perform and they are very excited.