- 20 Nov 2024
Luis Suarez: I won’t sway Messi on Atletico Madrid move
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 17 May 2021 22:30 BST
- 2 min read
Barcelona star Lionel Messi would be welcomed at Atletico Madrid with open arms by Luis Suarez, but he says he won’t actively chase his former team-mate.
The Argentine’s future remains unclear, with his contract at Barcelona up at the end of the season. Having pushed to leave the club earlier this summer, he was ultimately compelled to stay due to the financial complexity that a transfer would entail.
Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu was one of the reasons that Messi was pushing to leave, and while his resignation may open the door to the superstar staying put, it has been claimed that he will need to take a pay cut in order for that to happen.
Suarez, whose departure to Atletico Madrid in the summer was a source of frustration for Messi, has admitted that he would love to team up with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner again, but will leave the 33-year-old to make his own decision unless prompted.
“I’ll always say it: Leo is mature enough to make the decisions he needs to make by himself. I’ll never try to influence what he does; wherever he’s happy, I’ll always support his right to make the decision that’s best for him,” he told AS.
“If at any point the possibility arises, then he should say so as obviously I’m going to talk very highly of him to the club.
“But as far as suggesting things to him is concerned, I think he’s the one who has to make such decisions and wherever he’s happiest is the best place for him to be.
“Any team-mate who has worked alongside Leo will talk highly of him, of what a class player he is and what a top guy he is away from the pitch. He really helps the youngsters, giving them pieces of advice.
“Every player who has worked with him talks highly of him. That says a lot about the kind of player and person he is in that dressing room.”
Suarez, meanwhile, is set to go head-to-head against his former cohort when the clubs meet after the international break.
