Luis Suárez, the legendary footballer who passed away at the age of 88, was revered as the ultimate inside-forward during the 1950s and 60s. Known for his combination of power, skill, stamina, and vision, Suárez was the driving force behind Spain’s triumph in the 1964 European Championship and achieved great success with Internazionale, winning the European Cup in 1964 and 1965. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s victories in the European Fairs Cup. Suárez’s distinctive appearance, with his slicked back dark hair, evoked the image of an Argentine tango singer from the 1930s. His adept body movement and powerful right foot enabled him to score over 100 career goals, although he was primarily known for his playmaking abilities. Suárez’s remarkable consistency allowed him to make over 400 appearances in both the Spanish and Italian leagues, solidifying his status as one of Spain’s greatest football players.
Born and raised in A Coruña in Galicia, Suárez embarked on his football career as an apprentice electrician. He joined Deportivo de La Coruña after responding to an advertisement in a newspaper seeking players. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Suárez made an impressive debut for Deportivo against Barcelona, leading to his subsequent transfer to the club for £14,000.
Suárez achieved numerous accolades during his time with Barcelona, winning six major trophies including two Spanish league titles, two Spanish cups, and two Fairs Cups. In 1960, he became the first Spanish-born player to receive the Ballon d’Or as the European Footballer of the Year. Barcelona’s strong attacking lineup, which included Suárez, was favored to win the European Cup final against Benfica in 1961 but ultimately lost 3-2 due to a subpar performance by goalkeeper Antoni Ramallets.
In 1961, Suárez made a groundbreaking move to Internazionale, following his former Barcelona manager Helenio Herrera. In his role as an inside-left player, Suárez formed a formidable partnership with winger Mario Corso. Together, they contributed to the success of Internazionale during the “Grande Inter” era from 1960 to 1968. Suárez’s elegance on the field earned him the nickname “El Arquitecto” (the architect). However, he was not without his ruthless side, as demonstrated in a European Cup match against Borussia Dortmund in 1964, where he committed a brutal foul but went unpunished by the referee.
Although Suárez earned 32 caps for the Spanish national team, he did not always showcase his full potential while playing for Spain. Some believe this was due to the presence of Alfredo Di Stéfano, a dominant Argentine-born center-forward who did not tolerate competition. Despite this, Suárez played a crucial role in Spain’s victory in the 1964 European Championship. He exhibited exceptional performances, particularly in the semifinal against Hungary and the final against the Soviet Union, where Spain claimed their first major international trophy.
In 1970, Suárez transferred to Sampdoria after unsuccessful attempts by Internazionale to position him as a libero. Returning to his preferred midfield position, Suárez rejuvenated his career and became a crucial figure in molding a young Sampdoria team until his retirement in 1973. He ended his international career the year prior to his retirement.
Following his retirement from playing, Suárez ventured into football management, but his success was limited. His tenures as the manager of Spain (1988-1991) and Internazionale did not yield remarkable results. However, Suárez did guide Spain through the group stages in the 1990 World Cup, where they were ultimately eliminated by Yugoslavia. He remained involved with Internazionale for many years, occasionally stepping in as interim manager. Alongside his former teammates Giacinto Facchetti and Sandro Mazzola, Suárez continued to serve the club until 1999.
Luis Suárez Miramontes, a remarkable footballer, was born on May 2, 1935, and passed away on July 9, 2023.
