Football
ESPN staff 9y

Barcelona's Xavi: 'Extraordinary' Luis Suarez is a natural leader

Xavi believes that Barcelona made an "extraordinary" purchase in Luis Suarez, and told BBC Sport that the striker will succeed at Camp Nou due to his individual brilliance.

Suarez, 27, signed for Barca for 80 million euros this summer after serving a four-month FIFA ban from all football-related activities (reduced to competitive matches on appeal) at the time for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup while playing for Uruguay.

The forward described his move to Camp Nou like an "undercover operation" due to the nature of the ban, but teammate Xavi says the club made the right choice to pursue the striker after a stunning 2013-14 campaign with Liverpool.

"I already knew Luis Suarez through Gabri [former Spanish international and now part of Barcelona's coaching staff]," he said. "I think he is an extraordinary person and I think he can make the difference on his own.

"He dribbles past two or three players on his own, which is difficult to find in today's game. He is a natural leader and a very nice person in the dressing room. I think it is an extraordinary purchase and he will definitely make a difference."

Suarez came off the bench to provide two assists for Barca and help them come back to beat Almeria 2-1 on Nov. 8, though he has yet to find the net himself.

Suarez's big-money move is the second time in two seasons that Barca have spent a large amount on a forward, with Brazil captain Neymar joining in 2013 -- and Xavi describes having the duo playing alongside Lionel Messi as a "luxury."

Despite increasing competition for places, Xavi -- who joined Barca's La Masia academy at 11 years old -- still believes that young players can break through at Barca and other Spanish sides if they work hard enough.

Asked whether foreign imports were blocking homegrown talent from breaking through, he added: "No, I don't think so. I think that a competitive footballer and one that's capable will succeed.

"We also have a lot people in Spain that have had to play in other leagues in other countries. They have been succeeding and in the end they go to the national squad, so the footballer with a very high standard of football will succeed."

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