Luis Suarez Explains How Real Madrid Almost Signed Him to Replace Karim Benzema

• Luis Suarez says Real Madrid were willing to sign him from Liverpool in 2014
• Per the forward, he was seen as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema
• At that time, the Frenchman was linked with a move to London-based Arsenal

Luis Suarez has disclosed that Real Madrid expressed interest in acquiring him as a substitute for Karim Benzema back in 2014, amidst heavy speculation linking the French forward with a move to Arsenal at the time.

In 2014, Suarez was playing for Liverpool and had just completed a remarkable season, clinching both the European Golden Shoe and the PFA Players' Player of the Year awards.

The 37-year-old achieved this feat by scoring an impressive 31 goals in 33 Premier League appearances.

Following his remarkable goal-scoring season, it was anticipated that the Uruguayan would depart Anfield.

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Eventually, BBC reported that Barcelona secured his signature for a fee of £65 million.

How Real Madrid almost signed Luis Suarez

Suarez maintained his exceptional goal-scoring prowess at Camp Nou, netting 198 goals across all competitions.

He also played a crucial role in securing the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League title, forming a formidable attacking trio known as MSN alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Speaking in an interview with DelSol, the Uruguay hero has opened up on how his career could've gone in a very different direction.

The current Inter Miami forward confessed that Real Madrid had also shown significant interest in acquiring him ahead of the summer of 2014. They considered him a viable candidate to replace Benzema, who appeared to be on his way to Arsenal at the time.

"Before the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid wanted me as they wanted to sell Benzema to Arsenal. Barcelona at the time was [also] interested and Luis Enrique was pressing," admitted Suarez.

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The ex-Ajax attacker further disclosed that the regrettable incident involving the biting of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, resulting in a four-month ban from football, caused Real Madrid to withdraw from negotiations. Consequently, this paved the way for his transfer to Barcelona.

"The bite case happened and Barcelona continued to want to sign me despite the punishment. I will always be grateful for that," he continued.

Real Madrid's choice to retain Benzema instead of signing Suarez turned out to be a wise decision.

The Frenchman later achieved remarkable success, including winning a Ballon d'Or and an incredible five UEFA Champions League titles during his illustrious career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Suarez parties with Messi in Miami

Sports Brief reported on Suarez partying with Messi in Miami after their first game together for the club in a 0-0 draw against El Salvador, where both played 45 minutes each.

This comes in the week Lionel Messi won the Best FIFA Award at the expense of Erling Haaland. It generated controversies, such that the Argentina captain failed to acknowledge it.