Much has changed since Suarez sunk his teeth into the shoulder of Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup back in June.

He was lambasted and ridiculed in equal measure by commentators the world over, handed a four-month ban by FIFA as the bite was his third offence and changed clubs.

Suarez admitted recently he feared his latest indiscretion would result in a dream move from Liverpool to Barca falling through, but the Catalans instead invested their faith and $81 million in the Uruguayan's undoubted ability.

"I was scared that they would call it off, as a repercussion of the incident. I was aware that could have happened," he said.

"By then the contact had begun with Barca and soon [his agent] Pere Guardiola would ring me and tell me it was done.

"I began to cry, for the situation I was going through and the faith Barca had shown in me. I felt really happy for the commitment the club were demonstrating in me."

The time for the repayment of that faith has now come.

Suarez's 31 Premier League goals took Liverpool to the verge of a first title in 24 years last season and he was crowned both the players' and writers' player of the year.

Yet, he will have to get used to being a smaller fish in a bigger pond at Barca.

Suarez joins an already star-studded and in-form forward line including four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and Brazilian captain Neymar in a line-up beyond the budgets of even the majority of fantasy football managers.

All three suffered their share of disappointment at the World Cup, with Messi a beaten finalist with Argentina and Neymar felled with a broken vertebrae.

However, they have put that behind them quickly to start the season in stunning form.

Messi has been back to his best with nine goals and 11 assists in 11 appearances, while Neymar has struck 10 times in as many games.

What remains unclear is whether Suarez's debut will come as a starter or a substitute at the Bernabeu. AFP