Former Spanish Ballon d'Or winner Luis Suarez passes away at 88
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Barcelona: Former Barcelona and Inter Milan midfielder Luis Suarez, the only male footballer born in Spain to win the Ballon D'Or, has died at the age of 88.
Known as "The Architect," Suarez was awarded the prestigious title in 1960 and later went on to coach the Spanish national team at the 1990 World Cup. Barcelona confirmed the news of his passing in a statement, highlighting his contributions to both clubs.
Suarez gained immense popularity in Italy, particularly during his time at Inter Milan in the 1960s, where he became one of the league's most celebrated midfielders under coach Helenio Herrera. Inter Milan paid tribute to Suarez, referring to him as a legend and expressing their sadness at bidding him farewell.
Born in La Coruna in 1935, Suarez began his career at Deportivo La Coruna before joining Barcelona in 1954. He achieved great success with the Catalan giants, winning two La Liga trophies, along with other honors and ultimately earning the Ballon d'Or award. Barcelona praised Suarez as one of the greatest players in the history of Spanish football, highlighting his superior technique, exceptional ball control, outstanding game vision, and powerful shot. They emphasised his elegance on the field, which made him stand out.
During his seven-year tenure at Barcelona, Suarez scored 112 goals in 216 games and claimed the Ballon d'Or while representing the club. However, he downplayed the significance of the accolade, acknowledging that luck and timing played a role in winning such awards.
In 1961, Suarez moved to Inter Milan for a then-world record fee. He enjoyed tremendous success with the club, winning two European Cups, three Serie A titles, and other silverware during their most glorious era. Additionally, he lifted the European Championships trophy with Spain in 1964, amassing 32 appearances for the national team.
After retiring as a player in 1973 at Sampdoria, Suarez ventured into coaching, taking charge of teams like Genoa, Inter Milan, Como, and Cagliari. He also had a stint as the coach of the Spanish national team, leading them to the World Cup in Italy in 1990.
Suarez's passing has been mourned by various clubs, including Sampdoria, who shared a tribute photo on Twitter. The Spanish football federation extended their condolences to his relatives and close friends. In his later years, Suarez worked as a radio commentator.