Barcelona news: Suarez opens up about the Messi influence and their close friendship
What's the story?
Barcelona star Luis Suarez has opened up about his friendship with team captain Lionel Messi as well as the influence that the Argentine talisman has had on him since his arrival at Camp Nou.
In case you didn't know...
Over the years, Suarez and Messi have developed quite the partnership on and off the pitch. Despite both being in their thirties, the forwards share more than 30 goals between them so far this campaign and are showing no signs of stopping, with the duo's latest exploits being in their 6-1 rout of Sevilla in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
While Messi boasts of being the top-scorer in La Liga at the moment, Suarez stands close behind in second place.
The heart of the matter
In an interview with Sport English, the Uruguayan revealed that his friendship with his captain is so much more than just football and that he does not see the Argentine as Messi, but simply as 'Leo'.
"We don't only talk about football. We talk about the past, the future. We're humans that, aside from being teammates, we're good friends who have a lot in common. Not only that but sometimes our wives are doing things we're left alone. In my house or his drinking mate. We can be sat talking for two or three hours. But I always say this: a lot of people see him as Messi but for me, he's simply Leo."
When asked about the influence that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has left on him, the Uruguayan replied, "I think it's helped me to see how relaxed he is in matches. Sometimes I thought that you need to be focused the day before, or a few hours before the match. That's what happened with me at Liverpool, with the national team and all of my previous clubs. And I think to see the atmosphere here, to see everyone focused, knowing what they have to do, but in a more relaxed environment has helped me."
What's next?
After securing their semi-final spot in the Copa del Rey, the Catalan giants will turn to La Liga where they are set to face Valencia on Saturday.