Atletico Madrid forward Luis Suarez has insisted that he would welcome former teammate and good friend Lionel Messi with open arms to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Suarez departed Barcelona in acrimonious circumstances over the summer, while talisman Messi also came close to a historic departure after submitting a transfer request in the same window.

The Argentine eventually stayed put at Barcelona and has played a key role for the Catalan giants once more this season, but Suarez admits that he could try to persuade Messi to join him at Atletico if the 33-year-old indeed seeks pastures new again.

Speaking to AS, Suarez said: "I'll always say it, Leo is mature enough to make the decisions he has to make.

"I will never ask him anything, on the contrary, I will always defend that where he is happy, he is happy, that he make the decision he makes.

"If at some point the possibility comes up, then let him know, obviously I'm going to speak wonders of the club.

"But later, when it comes to raising something, I think it is he who has to decide and where he is happy will be the best. He is 33 years old and knows how to deal with every situation. I see him with the same enthusiasm that I saw him before.

"Enjoying and not lowering your arms, which is important. Because, although sometimes the ball does not want to enter, it keeps trying. That says a lot about him."

Suarez plied his trade with Messi at Barcelona between 2014 and 2020, with the prolific duo notching up a staggering total of 838 goals between them for the La Liga powerhouses.