LUIS SUAREZ has revealed he was told to ‘watch out’ for Lionel Messi when he joined Barcelona – only to become best friends with the Argentinian.
Suarez hosted a tearful press conference today where he officially announced he was joining LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid.
Luis Suarez has revealed he was ‘warned’ about Lionel Messi when he joined BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
Luis Suarez was emotional during his Barca leaving press conferenceCredit: Barcelona FC
It is believed the fee for the 33-year-old striker is around £3.7m, with Suarez taking a 60 per cent wage cut from £405,000 to £160,000 a week.
That means Messi is the final part of the MSN jigsaw – with Neymar having joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Suarez joined Barcelona for £75m from Liverpool in 2014 and went on to enjoy an illustrious career at the Nou Camp.
But the 33-year-old has revealed he was warned about the man who turned into his best mate.
Speaking at the presser, Suarez said: “Many people tell you about Messi when you arrive at Barca.
“They say, ‘watch out for Leo’, he’s another striker. [But] many things are invented.”
One of new boss Ronald Koeman’s first jobs on taking charge at Barca was to tell Suarez he had no future at the club.
That move was believed to be one of the reasons why Messi sensationally handed in a transfer request – only to withdraw it days later.
Luis Suarez was in tears leaving Barcelona’s training ground for the last timeCredit: AFP or licensors
And Suarez has revealed he talked to Messi about his next move, with the latter describing his switch to Atletico as ‘strange’.
He added: “Leo knows what I think and I know what he thinks. We are old enough to give each other advice
“Leo felt strange because I’m going to a direct rival, but nothing will change our relationship.
“I have already faced Leo with the national team so this will not change our relationship.”
On Wednesday Suarez was pictured in tears as he drove out of Barca’s training ground for the last time.
Suarez leaves the Camp Nou as the club’s third-highest goalscorer of all time following 198 strikes in 283 appearances for the club.
Since his move from Liverpool, he has also won four LaLiga titles, four Copa del Reys and the Champions League and Club World Cup in 2015.
Suarez breaks down in tears in Barcelona as he gives a fond farewell to the club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
