The unknown Luis Suárez: 33 years and a punished knee

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Curiously, the name of Luis Suárez already appeared in the history of the Metropolitan Wanda.

He was the first player to score a goal for Atlético in his new home.

And on his last visit, he assisted his friend Leo Messi to execute what is now his new team.

Perhaps some of those memories crossed his mind as he scrutinized with his eyes what will be his new stand until 2022. He had just signed his contract, after a hectic Friday that started very early in a

private plane, in the company of his family, and concluded, footballing, on the grass of the Sports City of Majadahonda, where

, after testing positive for coronavirus, returned to direct the training.

Tomorrow he will hold the second session and, probably, will enter the call to face Granada (16.00).

Maybe he will even have time to make his debut and leave behind the tears with which he said goodbye to Barça. Until four o'clock in the afternoon, Atlético did not make official a stellar signing, which, after the agreement with FC Barcelona, ​​in at midnight on Wednesday, he was conditional on a medical examination.

Because his right knee, which has undergone two meniscus operations in the last year and a half, both by Dr.

, required a thorough examination to certify its good condition.

Already in 2014, as soon as he got the Golden Boot with

, and just before signing for Barcelona, ​​a problem in the same meniscus forced him to be operated on.

He made it to the World Cup on time and scored two goals in two games for Uruguay.

The fact is that at 10.30 yesterday, Suárez entered the door of the University of Navarra Clinic to clear up any doubts, about that leg in which Simeone has so many hopes so that the goals begin to stop being a nightmare for his team, as this course happened: “His age is optimal with regard to the healing and recovery capacity of the meniscus.

In addition, it must be borne in mind that professional footballers have great trainers, as is the case with Profe Ortega at Atlético, and they are in excellent physical shape, "explains Dr.

, medical director of the iQtra clinic

, to this newspaper.

Advanced Medicine.

"The suture of Suárez's meniscus was the correct option, taking into account the importance of knees in football," he adds, downplaying that dreaded cocktail, a priori, that is formed by his age (33 years) and those problems with the meniscus.

In his last two seasons he has lost 26 games, which would have been many more had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic.

In his case, the break allowed him to recover in time for the restart of football.

Longest-lived stars

Physical preparation will be key so that the two years that appear in his contract allow him to continue performing at the highest level.

And, above all, to adapt to a style of play closer to that played with the national team than the one he has developed in his six seasons with Barcelona, ​​where he has been the third highest scorer in his history with 198 goals in 283 matches.

«Physical work is going to be key.

Luis Suárez was a type of area and in recent seasons he has moved away from there.

His condition has mutated depending on the game.

Luis Suárez has lowered the performance by that knee or by the game of the Barça?

The question is whether Cholo can get performance regardless of that knee, "says

, the physical trainer who has accompanied

on his latest adventures, the most recent, in Leganés.

"We have to see if strengthening the muscles in the area can help you perform at your best.

Let's not forget that Suarez can mask any deficiency with his ability to understand the game.

He is not just an area player, he has a profile of dedication and sacrifice.

With that mix, despite the fact that his knee shouldn't be 100%, he's going to contribute a lot to Atlético, ”adds Lorente.

Seeing how

(38),

(35) or

(34), older than him, these 33 years, the same as his friend Messi, do not seem an obstacle for these two years that he signed yesterday to make his life happy him and, incidentally, Atlético.

“Today it is possible to perform at your best regardless of age.

Of course, each player requires an individualized plan to be at the highest level, "suggests Pol Lorente.

Yesterday, on his return after overcoming the Covid, Simeone watched Suárez with the illusion and hope that the goal, at last, will stop being a taboo.

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