Luiz Suarez hat-trick fires Barcelona to La-Liga title victory

Luiz Suarez hat-trick was what Barcelona needed to retain the La-Liga premier division title after a  3-0 outstanding victory at Granada.

Suarez's first-half double put the defending champions in control and the Uruguay international confirmed Barca's 24th La Liga crown with his third goal four minutes from time

Real, who entered the weekend just a point behind their fierce rivals, beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo brace but it proved in vain.

The Champions League finalists were on an 11-match winning streak in the league and were looking to capitalise on any further slip-up from the Catalans to steal top spot.

Barca, though, were not made to pay for their mini-slump in April - which brought three Primera Division defeats in four games - as they secured a fifth successive victory and a sixth title in eight years.

Despite a nervy start at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes, it was Suarez who eased the tension with a 21st-minute goal.

The former Liverpool forward tapped home Jordi Alba's cross and then headed in Dani Alves' centre at the near post just before the break to double Barcelona's advantage.

Granada did seek a route back into the contest but Suarez ended any hope they, and Zinedine Zidane's Real, had of a comeback with a simple 86th-minute goal after unselfish work from Neymar.

The hat-trick also allowed Suarez to win his personal battle with Ronaldo in the race to clinch the Trofeo Pichichi - the league's top scorer - with 40 goals.

Madrid's talisman did do his best to breathe life into the title tussle with his own first-half double in Deportivo, but his 34th and 35th goals of the La Liga campaign were merely consolation.

Suarez rate Sergio Ramos as the toughest defender

Barcelona star Luis Suarez has labelled Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos the toughest defender he has encountered in the game.

The duo went face-to-face twice last season following the Uruguay international's transfer from Liverpool to Camp Nou and Ramos has earned Suarez's respect with his no-nonsense defending.

"He's the toughest defender that I've come up against," Suarez told Mundo Deportivo.

"He's very strong, competitive and has plenty of experience.

"That's one of the reasons why there is added importance on the goal I scored against Real Madrid at Camp Nou."

Suarez netted a hat-trick at the weekend to help Barcelona to a 3-1 win over Eibar and he is pleased with the Catalans' results without the injured Lionel Messi.

He added: "I'm very happy with the goals on Sunday as they helped the team whilst Leo is still out. He's our most important player and it's important to win without him in the side currently.

"Leo is doing fine; he's focusing on his recovery plan and is pleased with how things are going. He's also pleased that the team can still win without him playing."

Saturday's treble saw Suarez take his tally for 2015-16 to 10 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions.

Ronaldo, Messi and Suarez nominated for UEFA award

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been named on a three-man shortlist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

Messi and Suarez helped Barca to the treble last term, while 2014 winner Ronaldo was once again prolific in a disappointing Real campaign during which they won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Ronaldo scored 61 goals in all competitions to move above Alfredo Di Stefano into second in the list of all-time goalscorers for the Liga giants.

Argentina captain Messi has also won the award before, while Suarez's nomination serves as reward for a fine debut campaign at Barca in which the Uruguay striker scored 25 goals - including one in the Champions League final win over Juventus.

Five members of that beaten Juve side - Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba - missed out on the top three, but were all in the top 10 alongside Neymar and Chelsea's Eden Hazard.

A jury made up of journalists from 54 member associations will vote for the outright winner at the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on August 27.

Alongside Messi and Ronaldo, Barca's Andres Iniesta and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery have previously won the award.

I' m not among world's best - Luiz Suarez

Barcelona star Luis Suarez insists he does not consider himself among the world's best players despite his performances in recent seasons.

The controversial Uruguayan scored 25 goals in all competitions for Barca last season, following on from prolific campaigns at Liverpool.

But he is unfazed by where he stands among the world's best players.

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"One always tries to accept praise and the things fans say, but I don't consider myself the most humble nor one of the best," Suarez told ESPN FC.

"I just try and do my work the best I can. I'm in the best team in the world and doing things I never imagined doing, but that job I leave to the rest so they can give their opinion."

With Lionel Messi and Neymar, Suarez helped form a devastating Barca attack that won the treble in 2014-15.

The 28-year-old said he had to maintain a good level to keep up with his fellow stars.

"You're in Barcelona and you have Leo and Neymar by your side so you have to be one of the best," Suarez said.

"I have the privilege to play with those quality players, just as much them as the whole team, including [Andres] Iniesta, which was a dream for me to play by his side, with players that I enjoy playing alongside.

"Being on the best team in the world fills you with pride, leaves you calm, shows you how hard it is to get here. And that's why you have to enjoy the moment once you're here."

I joined Barca to win Champions League - Suarez

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has revealed the chance of UEFA Champions League glory was one of the reasons he opted to leave Liverpool at the end of last season.

The Uruguayan's 31 goals almost propelled Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2013-14, before he departed for Camp Nou.

Without Suarez, Liverpool's Champions League campaign was ended in the group stage, while Barca are preparing for Wednesday's quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital.

Asked if the desire to win the competition was behind his transfer, Suarez told Champions Matchday: "Of course. Barcelona are always a candidate to win the Champions League.

"That's a plus here, as the clubs I've played for before didn't really have the chance to win big [European] trophies - maybe a domestic league or cup.

"Playing in a team like this, where all the players want to win every match and everything, that is a sign that it's all about silverware - whether it's the Champions League, the Liga or whichever trophy's available. We have a chance of making the final."

Neymar will win Ballon d´Or - Suarez

El Clasico hero Luis Suarez has backed Barcelona team-mate Neymar to be crowned the best player in the world during his career and win the Ballon d'Or.

The Uruguayan was the matchwinner in Sunday's 2-1 victory at Camp Nou as Luis Enrique's front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez proved too strong for the visitors.

After a mixed start to life at Barca, Suarez is now one of Luis Enrique's key fixtures and could have scored prior to his winner, had Neymar opted for a pass rather than a shot.

However, the former Liverpool striker backed 23-year-old Neymar to follow Messi and win the Ballon d'Or.

"After the run that Neymar went on, he had to go for it rather than pass. Strikers are selfish," Suarez told RAC1.

"He's a very determined player and I'm convinced he'll win a Ballon d'Or or two.

Having scored his first Clasico goal on Sunday, Suarez also discussed the ever-improving relationship with Messi and Neymar, in arguably the world's finest front line.

"I was brought to Barca to score goals," he added.

"I use Messi and Neymar's movement and they use mine.

"You don't need much time to discover Messi's quality. The connection with him has been very easy.

"The goal from [Sunday] has an added meaning because of the opposition, because of the situation and because it strengthens our position at the top of La Liga."