Former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez reportedly had a clause inserted in his contract that stopped him from signing for four clubs.
Suarez, 38, is currently at Inter Miami and shares a dressing room with ex-Barcelona stars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The Uruguayan has also played for clubs such as Ajax, Atlético Madrid, and Liverpool during his trophy-laden playing career.
But arguably the best period of his career came at Barcelona, where he partnered Messi, 37, and Neymar in an attacking trio known as ‘MSN’.
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During his time at the Catalan club, he registered 195 goals and 113 assists in 283 appearances, which helped the side to 14 trophies - four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey titles, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, two Spanish Super Cups, and two Catalan Super Cups – in his six-year stay at the Camp Nou.
He went on to join Atletico Madrid in 2020 and won a further La Liga crown, but there were four clubs he was ‘forbidden’ from signing for, according to his Barca contract.
As reported by the Mirror, the forward had a Manchester United clause written into his contract, which apparently stopped him from joining the Red Devils even after his deal expired.
The three other clubs he was not allowed to sign for were Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Although he admitted that his agent was once in talks with Los Blancos before he joined Barca in 2014.
"Yes, I spoke to them [Real Madrid] but said 'later',” Suarez told ‘El Partido de las 12’ with the quotes relayed via TNT Sports in 2015.
"They wanted me, but my dream was here [Barcelona].
"When I heard the name 'Barcelona' I didn't hesitate. Honestly, I never imagined Barcelona would come in and had no doubts at all once they did.
"You never know what can happen in football but luckily I stuck around for Barca, which was what I wanted. It was the fulfilment of a dream I had had for so long."
Luis Suarez on Real Madrid interest
Speaking in another interview with 'La Mesa' in 2024, Suarez said: "My agent spoke with Real Madrid, and everything was on the right track.
"They were thinking about selling Benzema to Arsenal, everything was already done."
He added: "When the [2014] World Cup started, Barcelona came into the race, and obviously I preferred Barcelona.
"With the situation of the bite, Madrid lost interest, and Barcelona became more interested. In the end I had both options and I chose the Barcelona because it was my dream."
Topics: Luis Suarez, Barcelona, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, La Liga, Inter Miami, Champions League
Luke Davies