Luis Suarez is ready to put his biting days behind him.
The Barcelona striker was officially presented to fans on Tuesday at an event delayed for more than five weeks because of his suspension for biting an opponent at the World Cup.
Suarez said he was ready to “erase” his history of bad behavior and start fresh with the Catalan club.
“I say to all the fans, don’t worry, because I won’t do that anymore,” the former Liverpool striker said.
Suarez sunk his teeth into the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June, earning him a four-month ban and further damaging his already tarnished reputation. The Court of Arbitration for Sport lessened his penalty last week, allowing him to start practice with Barcelona on Friday and play the final minutes of a friendly on Monday.
The Uruguay forward won’t play a competitive match until October.
“The suspension is what it is, and I have to accept it,” Suarez said. “After what happened I didn’t want to do anything. I was depressed. But while I was with my wife and children I had to accept reality. I asked for forgiveness as I had to do, and now I have to think about the present.”
Suarez refused to go into details about what he considered was at the root of his violent behavior. He called it a “private” issue that he was treating with the “appropriate professionals”.
But the volatile former Ajax forward did say that after his latest bite he was worried about his career.
“Of course I was worried, but not only about the transfer (to Barcelona), but also about myself, for what I had done. I try to erase it,” he said. “The lesson I take from it is personal. I try to forget it.”
At 27, Suarez has accumulated three multi-match suspensions for sinking his teeth into an opponent. He has also been suspended for making racist remarks.
Unfazed by Suarez’s latest act of aggression and focussed on rebuilding team after a disappointing season, Barcelona spent big to acquire the Premier League’s leading scorer from last season. Suarez will now form one of the most potent attacks in the world with Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Barcelona vice president Jordi Mestre said Suarez cost the club EU€81 million (Dh397.3m). Media reports had said the deal was for about €97m. Mestre added that Suarez’s buyout clause has been set at €200m.
Suarez was believed to have been a long-term target for Barca’s eternal rivals Real Madrid. However, Mestre said the player’s desire to come to Catalonia had allowed the club to negotiate the with Liverpool at £10m (Dh61.1m) less than the player’s £75m 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,” said 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 won’t complete his ban from playing competitive matches for Barcelona until October 25. That will rule him out of the first eight La Liga matches and three of Barcelona’s six Champions League group matches.
His first game could be a big one. On either October 25 or 26, Barcelona will play Real Madrid in the first “El Clasico” of the season.
“I hope the time goes quickly as I want to play again,” said Suarez. “It is going to be difficult as I will have to wait some months but I have accepted this.
“My job is to train and be ready to return by the end of October. All I can do is prepare and be ready for the game against Real.
“It would be great to play but it is down to the coach,” he added.
Suarez also remains banned for Uruguay’s next eight competitive matches and will miss next year’s Copa America and some World Cup qualifying matches.
“It hurts not playing for Barcelona but it hurts even more not playing for my country,” Suarez said. “I love my country. The fact that I will miss the next Copa America hurts very much. But I have to try and forget it.”
Suarez made his debut for the Catalans in a 6-0 friendly win over Mexican side Club Leon on Monday.
“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,” Suarez said of his expected return.
Barcelona already have a wealth of talent available in attacking areas, 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.”
“I have really found a great atmosphere in the dressing room ... everyone has been very friendly and obviously the time passes quicker if you are with teammates and new people.
“Everyone knows what I can offer and I will work hard to bring trophies back to Barca which is the reason I am here.”
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