Luis Suarez says he will always hold Atletico Madrid in his heart after the striker waved goodbye to the club’s home fans following a 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Sunday.
“Thank you Lucho for making us champions”, read a giant banner unfurled in the crowd before kick-off while Suarez was visibly tearful as he paraded the pitch with his family after full time.
The 35-year-old is set to leave Atletico when his two-year contract expires this summer.
After being forced out by cash-strapped Barcelona in 2020, Suarez exacted revenge by proving instrumental in Atletico’s monumental LaLiga title triumph last season, when he scored 21 goals in 32 league appearances and finished as the team’s top-scorer.
The Uruguayan has been useful but less emphatic this term, scoring 14 goals in 48 appearances.
Suarez has often started on the bench since the turn of the year, with Joao Felix increasingly preferred by Atletico coach Diego Simeone.
“I thank all the Atletico fans, every one of them,” said Suarez afterwards.
“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.”
Watch the moment Suarez was given his farewell from the fans:
125- suarez atletico madrid’e veda ediyor pic.twitter.com/dkxdsqxAUa
— 59.748 futbol tayfa anı (@sonsuzfutbtayfa) May 15, 2022