Monday 9 May 2016 14:01, UK
When Luis Suarez left Liverpool and the Premier League, there were mixed emotions from fans and neutrals alike.
His talent would be missed, but there was a side of his game that left a sour taste in the mouth. Barcelona can have him, many said.
Now, 81 goals and almost two years later, it is clear: the Uruguayan is the best striker in world football and we were lucky to enjoy his talent close-up for three short seasons.
With Barcelona currently flying at the top of La Liga, it is Suarez they must thank. He has scored 56 goals in 51 games, and 11 in his last four. Aston Villa, by the way, have scored 11 this year.
In the league this season, Espanyol have netted 36, Levante and Getafe the same, while Malaga have 34 and Real Betis 32. Suarez alone, has 37.
This is not a flash in the pan, and his performance against Espanyol was the perfect summary of how good he can be. Scoring and assisting, running himself into the ground for the badge on his shirt.
Suarez completed 94 per cent of his passes, and took two goals from his three shots at Pau Sabata. This was not any old game, either; Barcelona are desperately fighting to win the league, with both Real and Atletico Madrid breathing down their necks.
While Real stumbled to a far-from-convincing 3-2 victory and Atletico fell to defeat, Barcelona extended their gap at the top. Diego Simeone's Madrid men can no longer win the title, while Real's fate is out of their hands.
And there is no denying Suarez is at the heart of this Barcelona team. Lionel Messi has always been the main man, with Neymar and Andres Iniesta taking plaudits too, but now is the time for a rethink.
Let's look at the European Golden Boot standings. Players from Real Madrid, Benfica, Napoli, Bayern Munich, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, Tottenham and Barcelona make the cut, but one man will surely not be caught at the top.
Suarez leads the way with 37 goals, followed by Ronaldo's 33 and Benfica striker Jonas, who has 31. Harry Kane is the Premier League's leading marksman, down in ninth place.
League champions Leicester don't have a player in the top 10, but Jamie Vardy creeps in level with Neymar, Sergio Aguero and Karim Benzema in 11th. Not bad company, of course.
Barcelona, although they haven't made the Champions League final, are arguably the best team in world football, and Suarez makes them better.
The most goals in La Liga this season? Suarez. The most assists in La Liga this season? Suarez.
At 29, he is at the peak of his career with a number of seasons still to play. As some say with the Messi-Ronaldo debate, it's not worth arguing the point… just sit back and enjoy the talent before it's too late.
