Luis Suarez has revised his opinion on the toughest defender he’s faced during his glittering career.
The Atletico Madrid striker – who scored the 500th goal of his club career on Sunday – has come up against the finest defenders around during his time at the pinnacle of European football.
Suarez, 34, dazzled during a three-and-a-half stint with Liverpool before securing a £75million transfer to Barcelona in 2014.
It was early on in his time at Camp Nou when the Uruguayan named Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos as his most formidable opponent.
“He’s the toughest defender that I’ve come up against,” Suarez told Mundo Deportivo of Ramos in 2015.
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“He’s very strong, competitive and has plenty of experience. That’s one of the reasons why there is added importance on the goal I scored against Real Madrid at Camp Nou.”
Suarez and Ramos would face off in El Clasico for many more seasons before the former moved to Atletico on a free transfer last summer.
It appears his move to the Wanda Metropolitano has brought with it a change of heart, with Suarez now claiming Chelsea stalwart Thiago Silva is the toughest defender he has faced.
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Who is the tougher opponent: Sergio Ramos or Thiago Silva? Have your say in the comments.
Suarez has faced the Brazilian on many occasions for club and country, although Silva played no part in either leg of Chelsea and Atletico’s recent Champions League last-16 tie due to injury.
“A defender that has given me trouble and that I have faced several times was Thiago Silva,” said Suarez, per Metro .
“He is an admirable defender who I have always liked.”
Silva, like Suarez, has enjoyed a decorated career with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, winning major honours with AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Stamford Bridge last summer.
The 36-year-old has made 21 appearances for the Blues but has been sidelined since early February with a thigh injury.
Though his contract expires this summer, it includes the option for another year and Silva is reportedly keen to extend his stay in west London.
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