Embattled Liverpool star Luis Suarez has announced that he wants to leave the English Premier League club, possibly for Real Madrid, according to Sky Sports.
The 26 year-old striker held a press conference in his home country of Uruguay to announce why he wants to bolt from Liverpool. Suarez was adamant that it wasn't because of money but because of the way he had been treated, especially by the way the press treated him.
"My reason for leaving is not the money," Suarez said. "My main reason is my family and my image. That's my priority now. It's a difficult moment for me. The coach and my colleagues know that they didn't treat me well here. I don't feel comfortable here anymore. So I think it's understandable that I leave."
Suarez has been under scrutiny from fans and media for some of his recent incidents including a 10 game suspension that he is currently serving for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic and an 8 game suspension for using racial slurs against Patrice Evra.
Suarez feels that the English press has a vendetta against him and that they never leave him alone.
"Being persecuted from the paparazzi all the time. I couldn't go to my garden or the supermarket. I couldn't do anything. I know it's normal being followed by the press, but it was too much," Suarez said. "All silly things they said about me, all the pictures, all the taunts etc."
According to Sky Sports, Suarez has not been in direct contact with Real Madrid about a possible transfer but did say that it would be very difficult to say no to the Spanish club.
There is one hitch in Suarez's plans to leave Liverpool; the club has no intention to get rid of the player that they just signed to a four year contract, according to Sports Illustrated.
"Luis Suarez is not for sale. Neither Luis or his representatives have communicated these feelings directly to Liverpool," a spokesman for the club told the Associated Press. "The club remains supportive of Luis and expects him to honor his contract."
While Suarez understands that Liverpool can hold on to him his remarks during the press conference made it clear that Suarez expects to be playing elsewhere next season.
"The club knows what I think and what I want. I don't know what will happen but I have a contract," Suarez said. "If I stay, I will do my best here. But I don't think that will happen because of all the bullying from the press against me. And the team is very aware of everything."
