Luis Suárez claims Real Madrid agreed to offload Karim Benzema for him in 2014 before Barcelona move

Luis Suarez was close to signing for Arsenal the season before joining Barcelona.

Luis Suárez claims Real Madrid agreed to offload Karim Benzema for him in 2014 before Barcelona move

Luis Suarez was instrumental in Barcelona's Treble in 2015 (Image via Barcelona)

Luis Suarez is an FC Barcelona icon, winning every trophy available to him, including a Treble in his very first season. He won the European Golden Boot in his 2nd season with the club and was instrumental in winning the La Liga four times. Leaving a great legacy at the Catalan club, was close to not happening due to a bite. 

In an interview with DelSol 99.5, a radio station in Uruguay, that he was very close to joining Barcelona’s arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Ending the 2013/14 season strong with Liverpool, where he scored 31 goals in the Premier League, with 17 assists, Madrid were favorites to sign him. 

YouTube video

To get the Uruguayan in the club, Los Blancos were ready to sell Karim Benzema to Arsenal as well, a club that was close to signing Suarez as well. The interest from Madrid to sign Suarez was strong until the bite incident during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 

FS Video
Before the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid wanted to sign me and everything was on track... They were planning to sell Benzema to Arsenal, it was all done.
Suarez said.

During their World Cup match with Italy, the striker bit Giorgio Chiellini. That got him suspended by FIFA for four months, but FC Barcelona decided to enter the race for the striker. Suarez was made to choose between the two and finally picked the Catalan club. 

Related: Inter Miami’s new signing Luis Suarez reflects on winning ‘everything’ at Barcelona and the joy of reuniting with Lionel Messi

Luis Suarez confirms Inter Miami is his final club 

Luis Suarez has confirmed he will be retiring at Inter Miami, with it being his “last step”. The 37-year old signed for the MLS club from Brazilian side Gremio in December 2023. He has been reunited with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquests and Jordi Alba at the Miami based club. 

Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez has confirmed he will retire at Inter Milan, but didn’t confirm when (Image via MLS)
Inter Miami will be my last club, my family already know that. I don’t have a date yet, but it’s the last step. I’m ready for this last challenge, but there is an inevitable fatigue and, in the end, I want to have quality of life in the future. 
Luis Suarez on his future

Suarez began his professional career with Uruguayan side Nacional, but broke out during his time at Ajax. During his four seasons at the Amsterdam club, he scored 111 goals in all competitions before getting a move to Liverpool. 

At Liverpool, he became one of the best players in the league, scoring for fun. In the 2013/14 season, he had 42 goal involvements in the League, which made Barcelona buy him. After Bacrelona, he spent time at Atletico Madrid, Nacional, Gremio and is now at Inter Milan. 

In case you missed!