Luis Suarez Reveals Real Madrid Snub, Rejects Neymar and Lionel Messi Criticism

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has suggested Real Madrid were "very interested" in capturing his signature before he moved from Liverpool, but that it was his "dream" to represent the Blaugrana.

The Uruguayan spoke on Cope's El Partido de las 12 show, where he admitted he could be banging in the goals for Carlo Ancelotti's side this season (h/t Marca):

"Real Madrid were very interested in me, but my dream was always to play for Barca. When I heard the name 'Barcelona,' I didn't hesitate for a moment."

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Suarez made his debut in October's Clasico defeat to Los Blancos. Although many criticised his opening form with Barca, he has quickly developed into one of the side's key players. He suggested the way Madrid fans treat their players could also have impacted his decision, per AS:

However, Suarez admitted he is unlikely to finish his career in Catalonia, tweeted by AS:

The 28-year-old has 10 goals and nine assists in 21 La Liga appearances this season, per WhoScored.com, and is now part of one of football's greatest attacking tridents alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar. B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently argued as much:

Suarez is currently ranked 12th on the division's goalscoring list, with Messi in second behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar joint-third alongside Carlos Bacca. There's no doubt Suarez's total was impacted by his four-month ban after the World Cup, issued for biting Italian centre-back Giorgio Chiellini while on international duty.

He was forced to defend playing alongside Messi and Neymar during his radio appearance after being asked if their presence lessens his chances of scoring. Suarez responded, per Marca: "No, quite the opposite. For me it is a privilege; it makes life easier for me, because in the other teams I have played in I felt an enormous responsibility. Being surrounded by such great players is a weight off."

Neymar has also come in for criticism recently, having not scored in his last four appearances for Barca. Boss Luis Enrique was recently forced to defend resting the player—which was misinterpreted as the Brazilian being dropped—per Sky Sports.

Enrique previously said: "I'm not worried about him. He is out of this world as a player," reported by AS. It seems both he and Suarez suffer in comparison to Messi, despite posting formidable stats themselves.

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At Liverpool, Suarez was the key man. The player who everyone tried to pass to, the star who would inject pace and a sense of wiliness into the Reds' play. He is forced to be more dutiful at the Camp Nou, where he is just one of many possible match-winners.

Squawka highlighted how badly Suarez's old club could still use him:

Suarez has scored three in his last three, including the winner against Madrid, helping Barcelona to gain a four-point lead atop the Spanish table. For such a transitional year—which features new players, a new coach and the transfer ban—things are developing promisingly.

Barca's £75 million man is improving all the time alongside his team-mates, ominous signs for all.