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Suarez fit to face Real Madrid

Cape Town - Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has declared himself "100 percent" ready to face Real Madrid after accepting the Golden Shoe award on Wednesday evening.

The Uruguay international was handed the honour after scoring the most league goals in Europe last term, having bagged 31 in the Premier League for Liverpool prior to his switch to Spain.

Suarez is now also heading towards the end of the four-month FIFA ban he was handed for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, meaning he will be available for selection for the first El Clasico of the campaign, which comes at the end of October.

Asked if he was fit for the match against the Galacticos, he said: "If you had asked me that a week ago, before the two games with Uruguay, I may have had doubts.

"But I have played in those two games and I am probably in better condition than I thought I was. So I think I can say now, yes, 100 per cent, I am ready to play."

Suarez went on to thank all those who had helped him achieve the Golden Shoe, and made special mention of former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, the man who brought him to Anfield and who handed over this week's award.

"I want to thank all the most important people in my life, my wife and my children," he continued.

"And of course everyone at Liverpool - all my colleagues, not just last year but over the whole three-and-a-half years I was at the club.

"They were spectacular years and it was thanks to this man here (Dalglish) that they signed me, that they noticed me.

"Now I am moving on to a new period, and I have to enjoy this next stage of my life - it is a dream come true.

"On a personal and individual level it is always welcome to win these titles.

"But you would not win them if it was not for the whole of the team and for your colleagues and for the joint effort that everyone makes every day to achieve results."
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