Suarez laments Chiellini bite aftermath: 'The toughest days of my life'
Luis Suarez vows to never attend another FIFA gala due to the restrictions imposed on him following his infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, and said the fallout from the incident coincided with one of his darkest days.
The Uruguay forward had to leave the competition after his chomp on the Italian defender in the group-stage tilt, and said that struggling to comprehend his actions saw him lie to his wife, Sofia.
Suarez was hit by a four-month ban from all football activities after the flashpoint, a sanction he deems excessive and that stuttered his early career at Barcelona following a transfer from Liverpool later that summer.
"We were going to get on the plane on the way to Rio to play against Colombia and my family told her not to get on the plane, that her dad had to leave," Suarez told Sport, with translation from ESPN FC.
"Imagine that. It was one of the toughest days of my life. I am a father. I have feelings."
Suarez's switch from Merseyside to the Mediterranean coast for €80 million should've been the beginning of brighter times for the striker, but he instead felt ostracised as he dealt with his mistake.
"Then when I came to Barcelona and I had to train in a gym because I couldn't go to the training ground. It hurt a lot," he admitted. "(My kids) kept asking me why I wasn't playing. To be honest, it really hurt."
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
He added: "I hurt Sofia because I lied to her. She asked me (about biting Chiellini) and I denied it. I had trouble believing it, let alone saying it. I couldn't understand it. I hurt her because she knew I wasn't like that. (The press) even asked her how I was at home.
"They could have been thinking anything. And that hurts. Everyone has their way of playing, their character. If I wasn't as I am, I wouldn't have arrived (at Barcelona)."
Suarez, 30, makes up the infamous "MSN" front line - Lionel Messi, himself, and Neymar - for the Blaugrana, and last season enjoyed his most prolific La Liga term with a remarkable 40 goals in 35 appearances. Barcelona currently sits atop the division with a point more than second-placed Clasico rival Real Madrid, albeit having played a game more.
How things are faring for the forward ahead of Saturday's visit from Celta Vigo are a far cry from how he felt when he had to face the music after the Chiellini bite.
"Give me 10, 15, 20 games (ban), but to treat me how they treated me hurt. And when I had the trials with FIFA's lawyers, giving their reasons, it was even worse," said Suarez. "I am aware that I made a mistake but I am also aware I am a human being.
"They have to understand that. They have to put themselves in someone's skin and realise how it hurts. I didn't go to the FIFA gala and I will never go again. I have no problem saying I will never go to a FIFA gala."