Luis Suarez has issued a fresh update on his future after leaving Atletico Madrid to become a free agent.
The Uruguayan striker joined Los Rojiblancos from Barcelona in the summer of 2020 and his goals helped fire Diego Simeone's side to the league title in his first campaign at the club. Suarez netted 21 goals in La Liga as Atleti claimed their first league title in seven years, but last season both the striker and the team struggled to replicate such form.
The veteran Uruguayan striker – who has been linked to multiple clubs in this summer transfer window as a free agent – remains synonymous in English football with his three-and-a-half year spell at Liverpool between 2011 and 2014, in which he bagged 82 goals in 133 appearances before moving on to Barcelona.
Suarez has now issued an update on his future where he revealed that he was considering a move to Argentine giants River Plate, but that this move broke down after the club’s elimination from the Copa Libertadores – the South American version of the Champions League.
“I was very excited about the possibility of going to River Plate to fight to win the Copa Libertadores,” Suarez has explained. “It was a dream that I had to win a cup in South America. However, as soon as River were eliminated that possibility is over.
“A month and a half ago I declared that I was not going to leave Europe, but River insisted and insisted so much that I came to consider that possibility. As much as one says something, when the time comes you will consider it. You are excited that they love you so much. A player needs to see affection. River was giving it to me and Nacional (Suarez’s former Uruguayan club) could have tried that.”
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When it comes to his next move, staying in La Liga is a possibility that has been mentioned for the striker, who has spoken before about a return to English football and, specifically, Liverpool. Suarez has previously said over a return to the Reds: "Playing for any team other than Liverpool in England would be hard.
"I had, and hope I still do have, such a good relationship with Liverpool fans that it would be strange for me to play for somebody else. It would have been special to win the league with Liverpool, but I am glad that their wait is now over.
"They look like a team that will compete for many seasons to come even if this one has not been the best for them. They are back where they belong. I’ve missed the fans. The atmosphere is unbelievable, it’s amazing. Everyone who’s played for Liverpool knows how important the supporters are. They know they are in my heart."
Last season Suarez found the net just 12 times across 41 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, while he was no longer a guaranteed starter for the side – with just 20 starts from the club’s 37 La Liga matches this campaign.
