Former Liverpool star Luis Suarez bidded an emotional farewell to Atletico Madrid on Sunday night after he played his final home for the club.
Suarez, who netted 82 goals in 133 games for the Reds between 2010-2014 before his £65m move to Barcelona, will leave Atletico Madrid upon the expiry of his contract at the end of this campaign. The Uruguayan waved goodbye to the club’s home fans after yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Sevilla which leaves his side in third place in La Liga with one game to play.
Suarez signed for Diego Simeone’s men in the summer of 2020 after being forced out of cash-strapped Barcelona. He netted 21 times in 32 appearances during the 2020/21 season and was their top scorer as they won their first La Liga title in seven years. This campaign his record has been slightly more measured with 11 goals in 33 appearances, but he has proven to be an astute pick up for Atletico Madrid.
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He posted an emotional Instagram reel after the game on the Wanda Metropolitano pitch with his family and wrote: “Eternally grateful to one by one of the fans for the affection, one by one of the workers of the @atleticodemadrid for the affection of the day to day and my family that always accompanied me! @sofibalbi #SIEMPREAGRADECIDO #GRACIASAFICION #GRACIASATODOS #GRACIASWANDAMETROPOLITANO ”
Suarez was visibly tearful after the game and paid tribute to the impact of the club’s fans. He said: “I thank all the Atletico fans, every one of them. The love they gave me since I arrived has been amazing and I will not forget it. I tried to return it on the pitch, I gave myself 200% to a club that opened its doors to me. I will always carry the affection of this club with me after not being able to enjoy myself the previous season. I will take Atletico with me in my heart.”
