Luis Suarez made his first appearance on a soccer pitch since being banned for biting an opposition player at the World Cup back in June.
Currently serving a four month playing ban, which previously stated he could not partake in any soccer related activity but the Court of Arbitration for Sport downgraded that last week, Barcelona’s new $128 million striker played in a friendly at Nou Camp on Monday.
Suarez was officially unveiled as a Barcelona player, something the Spanish club wasn’t allowed to do under the terms of his original ban.
[RELATED: Suarez can now train, play friendlies]
Barcelona beat Liga MX side Club Leon 6-0 to win the Joan Gamper Trophy in front of over 72,000 fans, most of whom turned out to see Suarez’s debut. Neymar scored twice, Lionel Messi bagged one, so did Sandro and youngster Munir score a brace but all eyes were on Suarez in the Catalan capital.
The Uruguayan forward arrived off the bench in the second half and played the final 15 minutes for Barca.
Suarez can continue to play in friendlies for Barcelona and Uruguay, plus train with his new team until his ban is over on Oct. 26. Only then will Suarez be allowed to play in competitive matches for club and country, but he’s taking large strides to gaining full-fitness ahead of his La Liga debut which could come against Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid in late October. You can’t write this stuff.
Here he comes!!! 75 minutes gone and Luis Suarez comes on for @Rafinha #fcblive
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 18, 2014
