New Barcelona forward Luis Suarez admitted he was concerned for his future in the days following his four-month FIFA ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini but is now putting the saga behind him.
The Uruguayan provoked uproar at the World Cup over the summer after being found guilty of biting an opponent for the third time in his career during the South American side’s clash with Italy.
He was initially banned from all football-related activity for four months, as well as nine international matches, although that did not stop Barcelona from making the 27-year-old their marquee summer signing from Liverpool.
Although the four-month ban stands, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has subsequently relaxed the “excessive” elements of the punishment, meaning Suarez can now train and play in friendlies for his new club and country, and the former Ajax forward is now keen to move on from the incident.
“Of course I was concerned – not just about the transfer to Barcelona but more for me as a person. But, as I’ve said, that’s in the past now and I’m trying to concentrate on Barcelona,” he said at his official presentation yesterday.
“I’m here to do important things at Barca. Everything that happens in the past, that needs to be forgotten.
“If I start thinking about everything I’ve gone through, I wouldn’t be able to sleep.”
The forward switched Anfield for the Nou Camp earlier this summer although the FIFA ban meant he could not be unveiled until yesterday, 24 hours after he made his debut as a substitute in the 6-0 friendly win over Mexican side Leon.
It has been worth the wait for Suarez, though, who said: “I’ve dreamed of playing for Barca for years and now it’s true. I never thought this moment would come.
“These are spectacular experiences, really emotional. It was a great feeling to play in the Camp Nou, I loved it.”
Suarez yesterday held up the number nine shirt alongside Barca’s sporting director Andoni Zubizerreta and vice president Jordi Mestre, whose comments over the transfer fee could make waves on Merseyside.
While the transfer fee for Suarez had been widely reported as £75 million, Mestre said: “Suarez’s transfer cost 81 million euros (£65 million).”