'We always thought Luis Suarez was the best center forward'

The world-class Atletico Madrid striker has proved age is just a number this season, drawing praise from the club’s president.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo revealed he and the club staff always rated Luis Suarez as Europe’s best center-forward and were delighted to sign him.

After being deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona last summer, Suarez completed a free transfer to Atletico in September and has since embarked on an impressive start to life in the Spanish capital.

The 34-year-old scored for the fourth time in five outings on Sunday to help Diego Simeone’s men launch a 3-1 comeback win against Valencia. His strike moved him level with Sevilla star Youssef En-Nesyri as La Liga’s joint-leading scorer on 12 goals.

“We have always thought Luis Suarez was the best center forward in Europe,” Cerezo told Movistar.

“We are lucky that he is with us and everyone is happy.”

Suarez has formed a deadly partnership with the club’s record signing Joao Felix in the attack to help Atletico move top of La Liga this season. In fact, the pair have scored a combined 21 goals in all competitions.

Simeone has also brought in Moussa Dembele on loan from French club Lyon as a replacement for the departed Diego Costa to ensure Atletico have plenty of firepower.

Suarez has also made the best start for a new La Liga club since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid over 10 years ago.