Diego Simeone has opened up about conversations with Luis Suarez as Atletico Madrid attempt to get the former Barcelona striker back to form.
The Uruguay international is Atletico s top scorer in all competitions this season, albeit with just nine goals from 27 appearances.
The 34-year-old, whose contract at Wanda Metropolitano expires at the end of the campaign, has only found the net once in his last 11 club matches.
Suarez s frustration was evident when he was substituted during last month s defeat at Sevilla, with the former Liverpool striker appearing to direct expletives towards coach Simeone.
With the striker s sharp shooting deserting him and his future uncertain, the Atleti boss said there have been discussions between the pair in recent times.
Ahead of Atletico s Copa del Rey clash with Real Sociedad on Wednesday, Simeone said: We have spoken with Luis for two months about what I think of him, of how important he is for us.
What I think of him, he knows it and I didn t speak to him after Sevilla, I have spoken to him for two months.
Suarez has scored 30 goals across all competitions since his September 2020 transfer from Barcelona – more than any other Atletico team-mate. Karim Benzema (54) and Gerard Moreno (41) are the only players currently based in Spain to have scored more often during that time.
Additionally, only Messi (231) betters Suarez s tally of 175 LaLiga goals since the Uruguayan joined Barcelona from Liverpool in July 2014.
