Suarez rolls back Barca brilliance with 37-minute debut hat-trick for Gremio

Suraj Radia

• 18 Jan 2023 10:57 GMT
• 2 min read

Former Liverpool favourite Luis Suarez rolled back the years by netting a 37-minute hat-trick on his debut for Brazilian side Gremio.

The 35-year-old joined Gremio on a two-year deal earlier this month after leaving Nacional in Uruguay and he showed that he still has plenty left in the tank in his first game for his new side.

Gremio came up against Sao Luiz in the final of the Recopa Gaucha and secured the trophy with a 4-1 win, with Suarez receiving a standing ovation after being subbed off in the 58th minute.

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Speaking about his performance, Suarez said: “I think this is my best debut (at a club). I also had a good start with Atlético. I think it's due to my mentality. We are playing a final. We have to play like we do today.”

His coach, Renato, was also full of praise for his new signing, saying: “It couldn't have been better his debut. The fans believe in him, so are we. He showed what he came for.

“He quickly made it into the group because he's a very humble person. He doesn't want the highlights or perks, he just want to be like everyone else.

The fans needed an idol, a player to grab attention. Well, it's succeeded!”

Suarez pushes past Qatar disappointment

Suarez was playing his first game since the 2022 World Cup, which ended in tears after Uruguay were knocked out at the group stage despite the veteran grabbing an assist in the 2-0 win over Ghana in the final match-day.

The striker failed to score in Qatar but Suarez took just four minutes to find the back of the net for Gremio, opening the scoring with a lob over the onrushing opposition goalkeeper.

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Sao Luiz equalised soon after before Bitello restored Gremio’s lead and the result was confirmed with a quick-fire double from Suarez, first from a clinical finish followed by a volley into an empty net.

It was Suarez’s first hat-trick since his four-goal haul for Liverpool against Norwich in 2013 and eclipsed the brace he scored on his Atletico Madrid debut in 2020 against Granada.