Luis Suarez is finally free. That is, free to play international soccer competitively again.
Suarez has finished serving the nine-game ban FIFA gave him in 2014 for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the last World Cup in Brazil. On Tuesday, the Uruguay striker reflected on his lengthy suspension but also seemed to delight in the hits FIFA has taken in the last year amid its corruption and bribery scandal.
“I made a mistake,” Suarez told Mundo Deportivo, according to Sky Sports. “But there was no logic to the punishment. For four months I was not even allowed to train with my club.
“I was punished more than if I had taken drugs. But everyone gets what they deserve and you only have to look at how FIFA is now and that tells you everything you need to know (about the organization).”
Suarez, 29, is expected to feature for Uruguay when it takes on Brazil on Saturday and Peru next Wednesday in COMNEBOL World Cup qualifying.
He has gone from World Cup villain to certified FC Barcelona hero since he last played international soccer.
640 – @LuisSuarez9 returns to #Uruguay national team after 640 days, having scored 68 goals for Barcelona. Return pic.twitter.com/GCvCll2PCm
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) March 25, 2016
Many wonder how the ultra-competitive Suarez will fare when he returns to the field for his country. One thing is for sure: He won’t bite anyone else. The price he’d have to pay would simply be too high, regardless of who is running FIFA these days.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
