Nacional fans welcomed Luis Suarez with joy when he arrived at Montevideo airport from Barcelona on Sunday. Thousands of tricolour fans greeted him and led him to the Parque Central Stadium, where he was officially introduced as a Nacional player.
The forward left Atletico Madrid when his contract expired at the end of last season and signed a pre-contract with the Uruguayan club.
He began his professional career at Nacional in 2005 and swiftly secured a transfer across the world to Groningen in the Netherlands due to his outstanding performances with the Bolsilludo.
Watch: Suarez Recieves Grand Welcome By The Fans
Suarez made his comeback after 16 years, and thousands of supporters waited for him at Carrasco International airport to see their idol. He had to wade through a sea of supporters to get to the stadium.
MUCHAS GRACIAS! 🙌🏼
Fue algo increíble e inolvidable 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kBYL18BjPR
— Luis Suárez (@LuisSuarez9) July 31, 2022
When he arrived at Parque Central, he found an arena filled with nearly 50,000 people eager to greet him with massive tifos and flares.
Luis Suarez was given a hero’s welcome upon his return to Nacional 👏 pic.twitter.com/DLVd9knURs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 2, 2022
“I want to thank you, because I am here for you and because I want to be here. Later they will say what they will say. I will not be happier anywhere else”, Suarez stated during his speech.
“Now I want to return this love on the field with my teammates. I came because I want to win. We have to fight for all the tournaments.
“I am convinced that if we do things well we can win the tournaments that lie ahead such as the Clausura, the Uruguay Cup and the South American Cup. We have to focus on playing football and enjoying ourselves.”
La espera en casa 🏟
¡Dale @luissuarez9! 🤯#SuárezEnNacional #ElClubGigante @AntelDeTodos pic.twitter.com/KcTsPEk9xW
— Nacional (@Nacional) July 31, 2022
Related: Watch: Messi Bids Suarez Good luck Following His Return To Nacional
How Did Suarez Play On His Debut For Nacional?
Suarez’s Nacional debut did not end well, as his team fell 1-0 at home to Atletico Goianiense of Brazil in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals. Luiz Fernando scored the game-winning goal.
The former Barcelona forward came on in the second half and looked energetic in the attacking third. In the last moments of the game, he set up Juan Ignacio Ramirez for a goal, but the shot hit the post instead.
The second leg will be played next Tuesday in Goiania and the Uruguayan may get the opportunity to start the second leg.
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