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Suarez insists he is ‘only player to get close to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in last five years’ ahead of Barcelona clash with Liverpool

The Uruguayan has twice pipped the two football greats to the Golden Shoe trophy, in 2014 and 2016

LUIS SUAREZ claims he has come the closest to match Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's football heroics in the last five years.

The Uruguayan is set to return to Liverpool in a Barcelona shirt for the first time since leaving Anfield in 2014.

 Luis Suarez insists he is the only player who has challenged Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the goal-scoring front in previous years
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 Luis Suarez insists he is the only player who has challenged Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the goal-scoring front in previous yearsCredit: AFP or licensors

Suarez, 32, has netted 176 times in 244 games for the La Liga giants, climbing up to fifth on the club's all-time scoring list.

However, the Uruguayan striker has often been slammed for not being fit enough or, most recently, failing to find the net away from home in the Champions League since 2015.

But the Barca star says he has learnt how to shrug off criticism and is well-aware of his value - going as far as to claim nobody bar him has managed to challenge Messi and Ronaldo on the goal-scoring front.

When asked about his Euro draught, Suarez told : "That doesn't keep me awake at night.

"I know I'm the only player in Europe who has been able to get anywhere near Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Shoe in the last five years.

WORTHY OF THE NO9

"And twice I won it [in 2014 and 2016].";

Suarez came close to ending his infamous run without a goal in the Champions League quarter-finals tie against United.

However, his first-leg header was eventually classified as Luke Shaw's own goal as it bounced off his arm into David De Gea's net.

But the Uruguayan insists he is content with what he has achieved at Nou Camp and believes he has provided the Catalans with value for the £75m they paid Liverpool for him.

Ahead of his Anfield return he said: "I have won a lot of trophies — maybe more than I would have expected.

"But it goes with the territory when playing for this club.

"And Barcelona's third highest scorer in La Liga – imagine that, with all the great players that have passed through this club.

"I think I have produced the goods. I think I have been worthy of this club's No9 shirt."

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