Dressed in a gray suit, and with his wife, Sofía Balbi, and their children present at the event, Luis Suárez did not take half a minute to burst into tears at his farewell as a Barça player, a club he leaves after having scored 198 goals and as the third highest achiever. Suárez made an opening speech: “It is very difficult for me. This is all unforeseen, I have nothing prepared. I just have to thank the club for signing me. They continued to trust me. It was not easy to accept that. The coach, the teammates, everyone treated me wonderfully. Always I will be grateful. All people know the effort I made to fulfill a dream. I always said that this is the best club in the world. I am aware that a stage is ending. I'm taking friends with me, because it's been many years and I'm taking friends with me. That leaves me happy, saying goodbye to the people at the club and letting them see that a player is leaving, but also a human being who has feelings. My family knows the suffering I experienced. Let my children see me lift trophies, score with goals. That they see me next to the best in history will remain in the memory. I have to thank the fans for everything. “
Then came question time.
-Has everything gone better than you expected in your presentation?
-Arriving and fulfilling the dream of playing for Barça is a dream come true. I never imagined reaching these numbers. At Barça you have to constantly be performing at your best and I am proud to have endured so much.
-What moment are you left with?
-There are many good moments, trophies, bad moments. I stay with the first League, get a Champions League by scoring a goal. Play with wonderful players who watched them play on the Play Station.
– Has your end been at the height of the trajectory you have had?
Each player has their way of saying goodbye, of living. It's something that I have to keep to myself. May there be colleagues of mine and their family …
-Did you imagine that your departure would be like this? Is there someone who has not done things well?
Now I have to feel proud. There are going to be people who want to agree and people who don't. Now what I have to do is change the chip and be grateful to Barça for living unforgettable moments.
-It's been a crazy month. You two brothers separate. Who was responsible for your separation?
-I am with you, it was a crazy month, saying many things that one thought. Things have been invented, things have been leaked that are not true. Sometimes you are outraged by that, but you have to try to stay away. When you arrive at Barcelona, they say be careful with Leo, the strikers … And now it turns out that Leo is hurt by the striker. We are aware that we try to do our best.
-Do you think you could still contribute to Barça?
I already thought that, it is past. Obviously I feel qualified to continue competing in LaLiga. I'm looking forward to it, more after the injury, which leaves me with a bittersweet taste. I go the way I go. With a new illusion and to show that I can continue competing.
-How would you like to be remembered by the fans?
With the feeling that I have lived up to expectations. Beating players like the ones I beat, I never imagined. I am happy to leave a nice mark.
-Were you waiting for Koeman's call?
When the coach communicated it to me, I expected it because it had already been said before. I can accept it and, as I said from the beginning, I had a contract and I was going to continue training. I told him that I wanted to keep training until I found a solution.
-How, when and with whom did the option of signing for Atlético come up?
It sounds ironic but when Barça told me that they didn't count on me, there were many calls. I felt qualified to fight with two teams like Madrid and Atlético.
-Have you imagined playing against Barça?
No. I haven't digested the farewell yet. I am looking forward because I am attracted to this challenge. I already told someone that they know me, I also know them. It will be something nice.
-What do you think about the Barça that you leave in the attack phase?
From what you see in training, it is like in all the beginning of the year. There are many young people and that contributes. I think there are more variants to rotate than before. I think it will be a good year for Barça and that the youngsters will achieve important things.
-In case something has to be reproached, what would be reproached?
Me or …? I can do a lot of self-criticism. It happened to us once, twice, three, four. We have to learn. We are professionals to learn from that. Well, I can't blame myself for anything. Everyone knows that I have played with discomfort, with injuries and I value that. I am proud to enter the history of the club and leave the way I am.
-Who are you referring to?
Each one to grasp it however they want. I'm not going to please anyone. I am leaving as a great player who has made history at this club.
-Have you missed honey? Have you paid for the broken dishes?
I believe that each player has his moment and if the club, or the player, thinks that this is where it has come, we have to accept it. As if a player says it, you have to accept it. It costs, it is difficult. These are rare moments. You have a family and it is difficult to accept, but you have to accept it.
-What do you know about Atlético?
I have spoken with Godín and Griezmann has told me about the club. Atlético is very competitive, ambitious. What I want is for him to continue growing and I will try to achieve something important.
-What did Messi advise you?
We know each other well. Leo knows what I think, I know what he thinks. We are big enough to give each other advice.
-What did you say when you found out that you are going to Atlético?
Obviously, they are rare things. But we'll see what will happen in the future. I faced him in a Uruguay-Argentina. That will not change the relationship or the feelings we have.
– The decision was of Koeman or of the club?
One is not alien to what happens in the life of football, nor to the journalistic report. It was already speculated and with the call of the coach it is confirmed. I had already accepted it.
– Do you have a thorn left after 2-8, what would you say to the partner?
I will be eternally grateful to the partner for the support he has had since I arrived. I had a bad time and he has always supported me. That is essential.