Denis Suarez says his first Barcelona goal has given him a much-needed confidence boost and hopes it will provide a platform to go on and play an extended run of games.
Suarez scored the opener in Barca's 4-0 win over Eibar on Sunday, striking home sweetly from the edge of the penalty area after Lionel Messi's initial shot had been blocked.
Since rejoining the Catalan club from Villarreal in the summer, Suarez, who turned 23 earlier this month, has been in and out of Luis Enrique's side -- featuring just once in the Champions League and starting only seven of the Blaugrana's 19 La Liga games this season.
"I'm super happy with my first goal for Barca because I had been waiting a long time," Suarez told reporters. "It will give me confidence. I hope I can score more goals now and get more minutes."
He followed those comments up by tweeting: "A perfect win and a goal that I will never forget!"
Una victoria perfecta y un gol que nunca olvidaré / A perfect win and a goal that I will never forget! �� #ForçaBarça ���� pic.twitter.com/OI2YMX4xqK
- Denis Suarez (@DenisSuarez6) January 22, 2017
Suarez's chances of being handed a run of starts have also been boosted by injuries to several of Barcelona's midfielders.
Andres Iniesta and Rafinha are both currently sidelined with calf and hamstring problems respectively, while Sergio Busquets joined them on the treatment table when he sprained his ankle ligaments inside the opening 10 minutes at Eibar.
While none are expected to be out for too long, it could leave Luis Enrique with reduced options for Thursday's Copa del Rey quarterfinal second leg against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.
Suarez first joined Barca from Manchester City in 2013, but left for Sevilla on loan before eventually being sold to Villarreal in 2015.
Barca exercised their right to buy him back for €3.25 million last summer, although his total cost could end up exceeding €10m due to instalments they are still paying to Premier League side City.