Luis Suárez, accompanied by his family, was received as a hero in the Bag. (Photo: AFP)
With a welcome worthy of a world football star, Luis Suárez returned to Uruguay this Sunday to join the ranks of Nacional, the club where he began his journey 17 years ago as one of the most important strikers of his generation.
The 35-year-old player, who was part of the Atlético de Madrid squad until the end of May, arrived in the country this morning on a private plane owned by his great friend Lionel Messi.
“I am convinced that I took the right step for the right club and for the right country to prepare for the World Cup,” he said in an interview for the official broadcast of Nacional, still at the air terminal.
Family members, relatives, club authorities and even some famous fans were waiting for him there, such as the popular Colombian singer Sebastián Yatra, who asked him to sign a shirt.
From the airport, Suárez with his wife and children left in a caravan, greeted by thousands of supporters on a journey of about 20 km to the Gran Parque Central (GPC), the tricolor stadium in the La Blanqueada neighborhood of Montevideo.
Received by the squad and coaching staff, as well as political leaders who are fans of Nacional from all parties, in the arena Suárez signed the contract with Bolso until the end of the year.
Then, dressed in tricolor clothing, the Pistolero went out on the field to unleash the madness of the fans who filled the three stands, presented among others by former player Sebastián ‘Loco’ Abreu.
“I’m here for you,” said Suárez, microphone in hand, while chants interrupted his words. “I want to be here (…) I will not be able to be happier than here.”
An emotional video broadcast on the stadium’s giant screen covered part of its sporting history and included a message from Messi.
“Hello Gordo, well, you’re already there (…) I know how important it is for you to be there at Nacional, to return to your home, to your country, after so long (…) I wish you all the best. Now I’m going to have to follow Nacional too”, said the Argentinian star of Paris Saint-Germain.
