Barcelona forward Luis Suarez picked out Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos as the toughest opponent he’s faced since moving to La Liga.
Suarez marked a year since his Barca debut – against Madrid – with a hat-trick as La Blaugrana came from behind to beat Eibar, and spoke to Mundo Deportivo about the game and his anniversary.
“I’m very pleased with these goals because they help us win while Lionel Messi is absent,” he began.
“That’s very important because he is our most important player, so to win without him is very important to us.
“Leo is fine, he’s continuing his recovery and he’s happy, because the team keeps winning even though he isn’t there.
“Again we went behind in the match and that’s something we have to improve because it forces us to recover and make an extra effort.
“These goals are for my wife and my children. They are always with me and have been my support at the worst times.”
Suarez’s Barca debut was delayed a few months as he served a suspension for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, being thrust into the team as soon as he was available, debuting with a Clasico goal, and later getting the decider against Madrid at Camp Nou.
“The first year, where I scored the winner against Real Madrid and winners against Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and, above all, the Champions League final, that day I fulfilled the dream of winning,” he recalled.
“Sergio Ramos is the toughest defender I’ve come up against. He’s very strong, very experienced and he’s very competitive. So I value a great deal the goal I scored against Madrid in the home game.”