Luis Suarez's 21st goal of the campaign secured a 2-1 comeback success at Real Valladolid as Atletico were crowned champions ahead of city rivals Real Madrid; Suarez scored 195 goals in six seasons with Barcelona but was allowed to leave the Nou Camp last summer
Monday 24 May 2021 07:11, UK
Luis Suarez believes he was underestimated by Barcelona after firing Atletico Madrid to their first La Liga title in seven years.
The Uruguay international's 21st goal of the campaign secured a 2-1 comeback success at Real Valladolid as Atletico were crowned champions ahead of city rivals Real Madrid.
Suarez hit 195 goals in six prolific seasons with Barca but was allowed to leave the Nou Camp last summer to move to the Spanish capital.
The 34-year-old emphatically proved his doubters wrong this term and was in tears at full-time on Sunday afternoon.
"It's tough. The situation I had to live through, the way I was looked down on, but Atletico opened the door for me," he said, according to Marca.
"A lot of people have suffered with me - my wife, my children.
"Day by day, they are the ones who have suffered the most from my many years in football.
"We've had a great year. Despite the difficulties, we were the most consistent team and we're the champions.
"In the first half of the season we had an efficiency that wasn't normal."
Second-half goals from Angel Correa and Suarez overturned Oscar Plano's opener to claim an 11th La Liga title for Atletico.
Victory for Diego Simeone's men relegated Valladolid and proved crucial as defending champions Real - who needed to beat Villarreal to stand any chance of snatching the silverware - also overturned a deficit to win 2-1, courtesy of late goals from Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
The Rojiblancos finished two points clear of Zinedine Zidane's side, while Suarez's former club Barcelona were a further five points back in third position.
Manager Simeone was at the helm when Atletico last won the title - in 2014 - and was left with different emotions this time around.
"They're different, with different feelings. The world is experiencing a very bad situation and I hope that we have given a lot of people some joy," he said.
"Spending 32 weeks on top is huge. I'm grateful, especially to those who played less than others. We remained a team with a goal and we were that at every minute."
Simeone has been in charge of Atletico for the past decade and, while he acknowledges people may grow weary of his methods, believes the club can continue to develop.
"I've no doubts that people can get tired," said the 51-year-old.
"But I'm very hard-headed. I knew and know that this club can keep growing and I hope it will continue like this.
"The club keeps growing. All of the unseen people have given the club stability beyond results. They've always wanted this. They're not here celebrating, but soon we'll all embrace."
