Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says he has talked to experts about his behaviour and promises there will be no repeat of his biting incidents.
The Uruguayan striker, banned by world football’s governing body Fifa after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at this summer’s World Cup, appeared before the world’s media for the first time since joining the Catalans from Liverpool for a reported fee of £75m.
“I say to fans, don’t worry, because I won’t do that anymore,” Suarez promised.
“I am speaking to professionals- the right professionals. But it is a private matter and I don’t want to comment further on that.
The 27-year-old made his Barcelona debut last night in a 15-minute cameo as the La Liga giants sailed 6-0 past Mexican side Club Leon in a friendly.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) changed the terms of his four-month ban last week, allowing the striker to train and play in friendly matches.
Suarez received a rapturous reception from Barca fans, who will now have to wait until probably the first El Clasico fixture at Real Madrid to cheer their new number 9 in a competitive match.
Suarez must also serve the remaining eight games of his nine-match international ban, but will now train with Lionel Messi and co and go to match venues.
Addressing a media conference in the bowels of the Camp Nou on Tuesday, Suarez said he “was really depressed” after biting Chiellini in Uruguay’s 1-0 win in Natal on 24 June.
He said he feared for his career after the incident, but adds he is “now trying to concentrate on Barcelona.”
Meanwhile the club vice president Jordi Mestre has revealed it cost the Baulgranas less that the reported fee to land their summer transfer target.
“Negotiations started before the World Cup and we worked hard to come to a final figure of £65m,” said Metre. “We were originally quoted over €90m (£72m).
“He had much better offers than ours financially but he wanted ton come to Barcelona. He made a great effort- financially and personally- to be here.”
On sharing the limelight with Messi and Neymar, who scored a brace in Tuesday nights Joan Gamper Cup victory, Neymar added: “It is not about sharing the attack, it’s about sharing the dressing room with the squad- not just Leo or Neymar. It motivates you to play with such great players.
“I’m ready to play in any position. At Liverpool I played on the left and played on the right. When Sturridge wasn’t playing I had to cover his position. I’m always willing ton do whatever the manager asks me to.”
Messi, teenage striker Munir El Haddadi (twice) and Soldado also got among the goals at the Camp Nou last night.
