(AFP)-Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said he has received professional help
after receiving a four-month ban for biting an opponent for the third
time in his career when he clashed with Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the
World Cup.
Suarez made his debut for the Catalans in a 6-0
friendly win over Mexican side Club Leon on Monday, but will not be able
to play a competitive game for Barca until late October after his
appeal against the ban was thrown out by the Court of Arbitration for
Sport last week.
“The suspension is what it is and I have to
accept it, it is a personal matter but I have worked with the adequate
professionals,” the Uruguayan said at his first press conference as a
Barca player on Tuesday.
“I have tried to forget this game and
this situation as well. It is a difficult moment for me and I would say
to all the fans to not worry because I am not doing that anymore.”
Suarez
was believed to have been a long-term target for Barca’s eternal rivals
Real Madrid. However, Barca’s sporting vice-president Jordi Mestre said
the player’s desire to come to Catalonia had allowed the club to
negotiate a fee of 81 million euros (£65 million, $109 million) with
Liverpool, £10 million less than the player’s £75 million release
clause.
“There were options from other teams, but when the option
of Barca became clear I didn’t have any doubts because it was a dream
for me,” added Suarez.
“I still can’t believe it. It is something I have dreamed about but I never imagined such a beautiful dream would come true.”
Suarez
could even make his competitive debut against Madrid should their first
clash of the season be scheduled for Saturday, October 25 or the
following day and he is determined to ensure he is as fit as possible
when that game comes around in case coach Luis Enrique calls on him to
start.
“It’s not the same but I had a similar situation last year
at Liverpool, I started to play on September 20. It is a long time but
if you keep focused with your teammates in training it helps.”
Barcelona
already have a wealth of talent available in attacking areas with
four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and Brazilian star
Neymar, meaning Suarez is likely to be forced into a role on the right
side of the attack.
However, he insisted that won’t phase him as
he dovetailed with Daniel Sturridge last year to form a deadly
partnership that nearly delivered Liverpool’s first Premier League title
in 24 years.
“I am prepared to play any position in attack. This
last year I played on the left and on the right because Sturridge played
as the number nine. I don’t have any problem playing in any position
and adapting myself to what the coach demands.
“The quality that
Leo and Ney have is amazing, they are players you admire. Yesterday I
was watching them in the first half and they make you want to stop and
applaud.
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