Suarez says he was hurt with the way Barcelona chased him out of Camp Nou and thanked Atletico Madrid for trusting in him during his difficult moment.
The former Ajax Amsterdam man’s six-year stay in Catalonia came to an end following the conclusion of the 2019/2020 season when he was deemed surplus to requirements by Ronald Koeman.
The Uruguay international was shipped out to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid for a paltry amount of money which is said to be around the region of €5.5 million.
Suarez quickly became the main man at the Wanda Metropolitano as he led the charge for Diego Simeone’s men.
Suarez scored 21 goals as the Rojiblancos usurped Real Madrid to claim their first La Liga title since the 2013/2014 season.
Speaking to the media right after scoring a crucial goal in the final game as Atletico Madrid won 2-1 over Real Valladolid to clinch the title, the 34-year-old slammed the Blaugrana for discarding him bitterly and revealed his former team-mate Lionel Messi congratulated him.
“The situation I experienced last summer was difficult, the way I was underestimated,” said Suarez.
“Atletico Madrid opened up their doors to me to keep on showing the player I am and for that, I will always be grateful.”
He added: “He [Lionel Messi] will be happy, we are friends and he wished me luck and that he deserved it.”
