Suarez Admits Barca Need A # 9

By Joshua Walters

Striker Luis Suarez has described as 'normal' moves by Barcelona to find his replacement.

According to the 31-year-old Uruguayan forward, it is inevitable for the Catalan club to replace him since he is aging and would sooner or later, drop in the speed and enthusiasm needed to perform at the highest stage.

Suarez endured a goal drought shortly after the start of the season, but backed himself up with a couple of goals before scoring a hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Real Madrid in last week's El Clasico.

"For Barcelona to look for a nine is normal", Suarez tells Sport 890 radio station in Uruguay.

“I am already 31 years old."

Suarez's frustrating moments this season were met with criticism from followers of the game, but the player insists he was not affected by them, but admits that his three goals against Madrid have calmed his nerves.

"Any professional, knowing where he is today must live with criticism and be self-critical when he is not well.”

"In the last matches, drawing the three goals to Real Madrid, I had been feeling comfortable in the sense. That makes you feel calm, you always have to live with the criticism and I do not have to think that I'm the best in the world now with the praises.”