Luis Suarez: You have to renew Messi's contract, not have common sense

Luis Suarez was happy to score his 100th goal for Barcelona but above all for helping his side progress to the quarterfinal: “I’m happy with my goal, but the important thing is it served to help us advance in the Copa,” the Uruguayan said. 

“We’re happy with the work we put in on a general level,” the forward said after opening the scoring with a volley in the first half. 

He continued: “We had more chances in the first half to go in at half-time in a more comfortable position but it wasn’t to be. We knew they wouldn’t’t give up and they did equalise and get back in the game until Leo’s free kick.”

On the importance of the win, aside from reaching the next round of the Copa del Rey, Suarez said: “It was the lift we needed, but we were calm because we knew that we were working well.”  

With regards to the controversy surrounding referees, he said that “they’re always talked about for good or for bad, but what we have to do is to keep working hard to achieve our objectives,” he said without wanting to get involved in the conflict. 

However, he did back Gerard Pique: “He said what he thinks. Others think the same but don’t say it… we are with him, even though sometimes you have to be careful [what you say]. 

Suarez also confirmed he made the decision not to go to the FIFA gala a week ago, before talking about Lionel Messi’s contract renewal and the comments made by Oscar Grau. 

“What you have to do with Messi is renew his contract, not have common sense,” he said.