Paul Scholes: Real Madrid Would be a Better Team for Luis Suarez than Barcelona

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes insists that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is making a mistake by signing for Barcelona and must move to Real Madrid instead.

The 27-year-old is believed to be nearing a move to the Catalan giants in the aftermath of the biting incident while playing for Uruguay in the World Cup in Brazil.

The Daily Mail claims that the Reds have agreed to part ways with last season's top scorer in a move which bolsters their accounts by £80m.

Scholes believes that Lionel Messi holds a dominant position and has a say on who will play alongside him.

"If Luis Suarez does sign for Barcelona from Liverpool, will Lionel Messi 'accept' him? Suarez is a centre forward and he won't want to play out wide. I can't see Suarez and Messi linking well together," Scholes wrote in his Paddy Power blog for the PFA Player for the Year.

"It seems to me, if Messi likes you, you'll play. If he doesn't, you're wasting your time. And, to be honest, I think Suarez is making a bit of a mistake going to Barcelona – he'd be better suited to Real Madrid."

A Daily Mirror report last month stated that Messi was ready to welcome the former Nacional and Ajax star at Camp Nou during the summer transfer window. Suarez is said to be the number one target for newly appointed Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.

Germany and Brazil have already progressed to the semi-final. The Netherlands are in action against Costa Rica and Argentina take on Belgium for the remaining two places in the last four on Saturday.

Scholes believes that Alejandro Sabella's side are highly dependent on Messi to inspire them and backs the European outfit to halt their progress in the quarterfinal.

"Argentina are relying too much on Messi in Brazil. If Belgium can stop Messi, they have three or four in-form match winners, and players like Romelu Lukaku or Divock Origi have come off the bench to score – of six Belgium goals, four have come from subs," the former England international explained.

"Against the USA, Belgium deserved to win in 90 minutes and had the chances to do it. Just because the World Cup is in South America, some people think Argentina will go all the way, but I'm convinced Belgium can beat them," he concluded.