Luis Suarez has revealed he is so happy at Barcelona he can imagine spending the rest of his career at Camp Nou.
Suarez has yet to make his debut for La Blaugrana as he serves the last of a four-month suspension imposed for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
The Uruguay international has played only friendlies for club and country since the summer but could appear against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, as his suspension will by then be served.
Even before playing for Barca, Suarez has said he feels at home at the club even though he was worried the Chiellini incident would mean the move collapsed.
“I’m fulfilling the dream of playing for the club I always wanted to play for,” the former Liverpool striker told TV3, Marca reports.
“If I had the opportunity to retire here at Barca, that would be the perfect career.
“I thought I’d ruined my career [by biting Chiellini]. Initially I didn’t want to hear from anyone. I just locked myself away with my family.
“But then I reflected, I apologised and I felt liberated. By then contact had begun with Barca and Pare Guardiola [his agent] called me to say it was done.
“I cried for the situation I was in and the support Barca were offering. I was happy for the commitment Barca had showed me.
“I was afraid they would flinch because of the repercussions of the incident. I was aware that could have cost me the move.”
Suarez explained what it has been like to be on the sidelines for so long, and, when asked if he had thought about playing at the Bernabeu, insisted he wasn’t getting ahead of himself.
“I had to work in the gym, avoiding the cameras and the paparazzi,” he recalled.
“They were difficult times because I couldn’t be a professional. I felt like I was hiding but it was because of a mistake I made, for which I accept criticism.
“I don’t imagine playing against Madrid but I imagine being with my teammates. I haven’t asked the Coach if I’ll play.
“I wouldn’t dare tell Luis Enrique I want to play. If I don’t play I won’t be angry. I want to support my teammates and I’ll appreciate the fact I can be a player again.”
