Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez criticized the Dutch coach, Ronald Koeman, who accused him of lacking character traits, and Josep Bartomeu, the former president of Barcelona, also criticized.
The criticism of Suarez (34 years) came about 3 days after he led Atletico Madrid to the title of the Spanish Football League in his first season with the team after his sudden departure from Barcelona.
Summary of Atletico Madrid crowning champion #LaLigaSantander 🤍🏆❤ # RealValladolidAtleti 1-2 pic.twitter.com/VdqDDhPtiX
- LaLiga (@LaLigaArab) May 22, 2021
Suárez scored 21 goals during the 32 matches he participated in in the league with Atletico, including two decisive goals, the last two matches against Osasuna and Valladolid, and were the direct reason for crowning his team in the League after an absence of 7 years.
LaLiga
goal Is this goal the most expensive for Suarez in his football career?
🤔 # Spanish League # Suarez # Atletico pic.twitter.com/z8PAlQ23Tf
- beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 22, 2021
The player spoke about the extent of the pain he suffered after his departure from Barcelona, and his feelings appeared publicly after Atletico crowned the local title when he broke down in tears in front of the cameras.
Tears of pistolero @ LuisSuarez9 😇⚽🏆 # LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/sOn2Toyysh
- LaLiga (@LaLigaArab) May 22, 2021
"I have always felt grateful to Barcelona and will not antagonize him, they gave me everything and allowed me to reach the elite," Suarez said during statements on the Spanish radio program "El Bartidazzo."
He added, "But certainly President (Bartomeu) said everything in the press instead of calling me, and when they wanted Messi to stay, they called me to persuade him, to talk to (Antoine) Griezmann, so why did they not call me when they wanted me to leave?"
And the player continued, "Koeman told me that I am not in his plans, then he said that if we do not settle the matter by tomorrow, you will return to my plan and I will count on you against Villarreal."
"I saw then that the man had no personality, he was not strong enough to tell me that there was no need for me," he explained.
"Nobody from the Barcelona administration offered me congratulations, but I almost sent them a picture," Suarez said.
📡 Follow @AtletiArab's #LaLigaSantander celebrations for the 2020 season / 21https: //t.co/UsKO396q2Z
- LaLiga (@LaLigaArab) May 22, 2021
He concluded his statements that it would be impossible for him to leave Atletico before next season, at a time when the club confirmed that the player would enter the second season of his contract if he wanted to.