Luis Suarez says recent games for Uruguay have improved his fitness and he is ready to make his Barcelona debut in the La Liga clasico at Real Madrid on Oct. 25.
Suarez made the comments as he was presented with the European Golden Shoe award, which he won -- jointly with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo -- by scoring 31 Premier League goals for Liverpool last season.
The 80 million-euro summer signing by Barca was presented with the trophy by his former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish at a ceremony held in the Catalan capital on Wednesday afternoon.
The new Barca number nine told reporters at the event that after playing during the recent international break for his country against Saudi Arabia and Oman, against whom he scored twice, he now felt ready to compete at his top level.
"A week ago, before the Uruguay games, I would have doubted if I was 100 percent fit," Suarez said. "But I have played twice for Uruguay this week, and am in better condition than I thought I was. So I can say I am ready to play. I am really looking forward to it.
"I must be patient, but not long now. To make my debut against Real Madrid would be very nice for me. I must wait and see if the coach wants me to play in that game."
Suarez, who also received a TV message from his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard at the event, thanked his former Anfield teammates for their support through his time in England.
"You cannot win these trophies without your teammates and the joint effort made every day," he said. "I had three and a half spectacular years at Liverpool. The people there know what is important for me, just what happens on the pitch. Now I am moving on to a new period, in such a special moment for me. I must enjoy this next stage of my life. It's a dream come true."
There was no mention at the carefully choreographed event of the controversies which have followed Suarez through recent seasons, including the bite of Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at last summer's World Cup, his bite of Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in 2013, or the ban imposed for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra during a game in 2011.
Speaking from the podium, Dalglish said his former centre-forward's time in England had been like a "fairy tale."
"From the first day he came in, it was just a fairy tale for Luis at Liverpool," Dalglish said. "Without Suarez last year, Liverpool wouldn't be where they are now. He was fantastic for us, really took the club forward and drove it on. I was delighted to come here today, I just had to cancel a round of golf. Everyone who follows Liverpool would love to be here tonight presenting him with the trophy."
Dalglish predicted La Liga defences would now have trouble handling Suarez, while joking that if things did not work out at the Camp Nou he could return to Liverpool on loan.
"I do not think anyone will be able to stop him," Dalglish said. "Luis has been fantastic everywhere he's been, at his clubs and with his country. He has always been hugely entertaining. So there is no reason why that will not continue at Barcelona. But if there is a problem I'm sure [Liverpool] can take him back on loan."