Luis Suarez admits Barcelona will soon look for his replacement – despite Clasico hat-trick
Antoine Griezmann had appeared on the brink of moving to the Nou Camp in the summer
LUIS SUAREZ accepts Barcelona may already have begun the search for his replacement – despite his Clasico hat-trick.
The Uruguay international, 31, provided a reminder of his ability with a treble in a 5-1 win over Real Madrid.
It led to the sacking of Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui.
Antoine Griezmann appeared on the brink of joining Barca in the summer only to commit his immediate future to Atletico Madrid.
But Suarez is unperturbed by the Catalans’ attempts to acquire a new forward and admits such a pursuit is to be expected.
He told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890: "For Barcelona to look for a [number] nine is normal. I am already 31 years old."
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
The former Ajax and Liverpool forward was criticised for returning from his post-World Cup holiday overweight.
El Chiringuito journalist Quim Domenech suggested Suarez’s extra padding was "worrying" after he produced an inconsequential display against Sevilla in the .
Manager Ernesto Valverde defended his physical state and Suarez has now suggested that his excess weight was due to having less than a week in training before the game.
He added: "As a professional and knowing where I am it today one has to live with criticism and be self-critical when he is not well.
"When they told me I was fat and passed my best form was in a match of Supercopa of Spain with Sevilla.
"I had started training on a Tuesday and played on a Saturday.
"Obviously I would be slow and fat if I came from a month of vacation after the World Cup."
With just one goal in his last eight outings prior to netting three against Real, the pressure was beginning to ratchet up on Suarez.
Lionel Messi’s broken arm had left Barca short in attacking areas but Suarez rose to the occasion again to take his tally for the campaign to seven.
Suarez stated: "In the last match, scoring the three goals against Real Madrid , I had been feeling comfortable in the sense that I had been helping the team and I felt comfortable and happy.
"That makes you feel calm. Then, scoring goals or not, is a separate issue. You always have to live with criticism and I do not have to think that I'm the best in the world now with the praise."