The two have once again met up to prepare for the Copa America.
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| Photo by DANTE FERNANDEZ/AFP via Getty Images |
Copa America has kicked off in the US this weekend, with teams from North and South America competing for the title. Uruguay’s first match is on Sunday when they take on Panama.
While striker Darwin Núñez is the team’s first choice in the position, 37-year-old Luis Suarez has been recalled to the team following an impressive season in Miami. Upon returning to the fold, Núñez, who has cited Suarez as his idol, respectfully relinquished the number nine shirt to him. This is not expected to change manager Marcelo Bielsa’s set-up, and Núñez will keep his place in the team.
Before the match, Suarez, the former Liverpool player, praised current Reds’ striker Núñez for his talent and defending him against critics who have highlighted his lack of goals to end Liverpool’s season.
“Today he is one of the best centre forwards in the world,” Suarez said. “I love how he plays and I love watching him. Since Darwin was in Penarol I had been talking to him, through someone else. There was a game in which he scored three goals that caught my attention.
“At that time it was said that he missed a lot of goals, but he also generated a lot. They criticised me for the same reason, but the important thing is that he always tried to overcome, he never gave up. I always saw special conditions in him. The forward has to be like that, the ambition, the desire to improve, the desire to get ahead of him.
The respect between the two men is clearly mutual, and Suarez showed his gratitude for Núñez’s support.
“Darwin always came, approached me, trying to chat and ask me things to improve. He is a divine kid. For him to tell me that I am his idol is something spectacular,” Suarez said.
“Since he arrived at the National Team he told me that as long as I was there, the ‘nine’ was going to be mine. That is something that one values a lot because it is a very nice gesture.”
Uruguay is tied with Argentina, the current world champions, for the most Copa America wins at 15. They will be trying to make is 16 this summer.
- epicskyline
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