"And now, please give a huge ovation for . . ." A month after Luis Suarez signed for FC Barcelona and two months before he can play a competitive game for them, the Uruguayan made his first appearance at Camp Nou. Barcelona's record signing ran on to the pitch at 7.51pm to fireworks and applause from around 40,000 supporters (later to swell to 60,000). He then played for his new club for the first time, coming on as a substitute against the Mexican side Club Leon during Barcelona's traditional season opener, the Gamper Trophy.
Suarez will have to wait until October 26th against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu to make an official debut but here he was at last, dressed in the ‘blaugrana’ shirt. He will be presented on his own in this same arena tomorrow, when he will also speak at a press conference.
First the new manager Luis Enrique's 27-man backroom team were called out, then the manager himself and, one by one, 18 players were invited on to the pitch, with fireworks greeting them, before Suarez was called. Every player bar the club captains Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi had been introduced. Then it was the Uruguayan's turn, the last of the new incorporations.
Others had just been named but Suarez’s entrance was built up by Manel Vich, the club’s PA announcer for over 50 years. He requested an ovation and that is what he got. The 27-year-old emerged to a roar and took up his place alongside his team-mates, while a chant of “Suarez! Suarez! Suarez!” went round. He stood and looked a little sheepish. Meanwhile Busquets, Messi, Iniesta and Xavi appeared.
After Luis Enrique and Xavi had briefly addressed the crowd the players filed off to prepare for the game. Suarez went down the tunnel waving to his family in the stands.
Reached a deal
Barcelona first announced that they had reached a deal with Liverpool on July 11th and Suarez was due to be presented on July 16th. Instead it was the sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta who appeared before the media. He described Suarez as “entirely our player” but the presentation was cancelled, with Zubizarreta insisting that the club had been told by their lawyers to be “extremely prudent”. Suarez had completed his medical the day before but no photographs were released.
The four-month ban from “all footballing activity” for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup denied the Uruguayan the chance even to train with his new team-mates and was deemed to apply to presentations too, although not to the transfer itself. He was not allowed to set foot in a stadium. Suarez was still awaiting his hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Spain, which eventually took place on August 8th.
When the CAS verdict was delivered last Thursday his ban was upheld but he was allowed to train again and he joined his team-mates for the first time the following morning.
“I am pleased to feel like a footballer again,” he said. Suarez was also informed that the ban did not apply to friendlies and he was cleared to play here last night and to be presented as a Barcelona player, a month on. That wait is over. Now another one begins. Guardian Service
