Former Liverpool and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has won more silverware – this time with his hometown club, Nacional.
The Uruguayan re-joined Nacional in July 2022 after leaving Atletico Madrid. In just three months, he has been part of the side that has managed to win the “Torneo Clausura”.
Nacional confirmed their victory in this competition with a 2-1 win over last-placed Cerrito. “El Pistolero” started and played the full game, although did not score. The victory allowed Nacional to clinch the tournament with a game to spare. They will still play the last match of the tournament, though, on 30 October.
Since his arrival at Nacional, Luis Suarez has been a useful addition to the squad. He has contributed five goals in twelve appearances, with three assists. And now, thanks to Tricolore’s win, he has a chance to add the Uruguayan Primera Division title, too.
Luis Suarez poised to take Uruguayan title with Nacional
By winning the Torneo Clausura, Nacional booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Championship play-offs. According to Nacional’s website, they play the winners of the Torneo Apertura – Liverpool de Montevideo – in this game. The Torneo Apertura is a tournament that occurred earlier in the Uruguayan football season.
Both of these tournaments are played in a league-style format. All teams play each other once, with the winner being the club with the most points.
Once both tournaments have been played, the Primera Division combines the tables into an aggregate table – which Nacional also topped.
So, as winners of the Torneo Apertura and Clausura respectively, Liverpool and Nacional face off in a “semi-final” for a place in the final. But, as aggregate league winners, Nacional have already got a spot in the Primera Division final.
Therefore, if they win the semi against Liverpool, the Final is not necessary. Nacional become Primera Division champions. If Luis Suarez’s team loses the semi-final, then Nacional will re-play Liverpool in the Final.
Basically, in the playoffs, Nacional have two chances to beat Liverpool in order to win their 49th Uruguayan Primera Division.
For Luis Suarez, this could be his third league crown with Nacional. But it may also be his last, as he is set to leave his first club once more.
Suarez to leave local team again
According to AS, the Uruguayan international will leave Nacional upon the expiry of his contract, which is just before the 2022 World Cup. Club chairman, Jose Fuentes, explained Suarez’s situation with the club.
“When the Uruguayan Championship ends, Suarez will leave,” said Fuentes, via ESPN. “That’s how we arranged his deal. It is what we agreed and he made a huge effort to come here.
“I say this to avoid generating fan expectations. Suarez is leaving. We’ve asked him, and he answered the same thing as before.”
The Daily Mail suggests that this could open the door for a return to Europe for Suarez. He rose to star status whilst at Liverpool before enjoying a successful spell with Barcelona. At his last European club, Atletico Madrid, Suarez won a La Liga title, too.
Where Suarez’s career takes him next will likely be unknown until after the World Cup.
Featured image credit: Getty