Luis Suarez spent four highly successful seasons at Liverpool before joining Barcelona in 2014. The Uruguayan scored 82 goals in 133 matches in all competitions during his time at Anfield. He took his success in the Premier League and built on it with Barcelona. In four seasons in Spain, Suarez has recorded 152 goals in 198 matches in all competitions. However, the 31-year-old striker has a difficult road ahead of him at Camp Nou and questions have been raised over Suarez’s future in the Catalan capital.
Luiz Suarez and Barcelona
Suarez is under contract with Barcelona until 2021. The striker earns the second highest salary at Camp Nou behind Lionel Messi. Suarez makes £290,000-per-week. For the most part, he has been worth it. However, there is a chance his Barcelona career could be winding down.
The striker played a major part in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph last term. His 25 goals in 33 games was a tremendous return for Barcelona. However, Suarez’s performances in the Champions League left the club wanting more.
Suarez was missing in action during Roma’s quarterfinal second leg win over Barcelona. He was a non-factor and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by supporters and officials at the club.
He scored just once in 10 Champions League matches and over the last three seasons, his production in the tournament has declined significantly.
Is Luis Suarez a fading star?
There is no question that Suarez is an important player at Barcelona. His age, salary and contract length are all problems for Barcelona, however. Suarez has three years left to run on his current deal and he will be 34 when the contract runs out in 2021 barring an extension being offered.
The player’s contract puts Barcelona in a difficult position. The club is paying him a large wage and cannot funnel that money into signing and paying younger players. Both Messi and Suarez have deals that will run until 2021. In three years, the Catalan club could lose its two most important players.
Suarz and Messi could depart at the same time and leave Barcelona in a state that may take years to get out of. It has been said that Barcelona will suffer greatly when Messi leaves. Yet, losing both of the club’s stars in the same offseason would have a devastating long-term effect.
Barcelona will need to make a decision on Suarez sooner rather than later. Either he will have to go which will enable the club to begin rebuilding around Messi, or Barcelona will need to ensure he remains at Camp Nou after Messi’s contract expires.
Suarez’s future at Barcelona is murky. He is getting older and showing signs of decline. Although the club has got its money’s worth from him, the profits may not be as large in the coming seasons.
Barcelona’s decision on how much longer to keep Suarez could be made next term. Following the World Cup, Suarez may not be able to live up to the production levels he has previously. A decline could make Barcelona’s minds up for them.
