Luis Suarez, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend, passes away at 88

Luis Suárez Miramontes, the so-called ‘Golden Galician’ is the one Spanish man to win Ballon D’Or. Picture: Barcelona Twitter

Former Barcelona and Inter Milan midfielder Luis Suarez, the one male footballer born in Spain to win the Ballon D’Or, died on the age of 88 on Sunday.

Nicknamed “The Architect” the Spaniard gained the distinguished award in 1960 and later coached La Roja on the 1990 World Cup.

“Luis Suarez Miramontes has died this Sunday in Milan at 88 years previous,” mentioned Barcelona in an announcement.

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“He performed for Barca between 1954 and 1961 earlier than going to Inter Milan, the place he’s additionally a legend.”

Suarez was cherished in Italy after turning into one of many league’s most celebrated midfielders at Inter Milan beneath coach Helenio Herrera within the Sixties, whom he adopted from Barcelona.

“Saying goodbye to Luisito leaves us with a deep melancholy — the nostalgia of his excellent and inimitable soccer, which impressed generations, is mixed with the reminiscence of a novel footballer and an incredible, nice Inter participant,” wrote Inter in an announcement.

Suarez, born in La Coruna in 1935, started his profession at Deportivo La Coruna, earlier than transferring to Barcelona in 1954.

He gained two La Liga trophies with the Catalan giants, amongst different silverware and incomes the Ballon d’Or.

The one different participant born in Spain to win the Ballon d’Or is Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas, who has gained the ladies’s trophy twice.

Alfredo Di Stefano, who performed for Argentina and later the Spanish nationwide workforce, gained it twice however was born in Buenos Aires.

“Suarez was a stupendous participant, among the many greatest Spaniards ever in historical past, together with Xavi (Hernandez) and (Andres) Iniesta,” mentioned Di Stefano in one among his final interviews earlier than his demise in 2014.

‘Class’ 

Barcelona lauded Suarez as probably the greatest gamers within the historical past of Spanish soccer.

“He had all of it as a participant, superior approach, unbeatable capacity with the ball at his toes, a privileged imaginative and prescient of the sport and an incredible shot,” mentioned the Catalan membership in an announcement.

“Nonetheless, most of all, he stood out for the class of his sport.”

He scored 112 targets in 216 video games for Barcelona in his seven years on the membership, successful the Ballon d’Or whereas in Catalonia. Nonetheless Suarez performed down the significance of the accolade.

“There have been many Spanish gamers who’ve deserved that award, nevertheless it relies upon loads on the second — you must be fortunate that one other nice modern participant doesn’t carry out in addition to you,” Suarez instructed FIFA’s web site.

“There have been nice gamers who’ve by no means lifted the trophy.”

Suarez moved to Inter Milan in 1961 for a then world document charge of 250 million lire (£142,000) and gained two European Cups and three Serie A trophies in addition to different silverware throughout the membership’s most superb period.

He additionally lifted the European Championships trophy with Spain in 1964, making 32 appearances for the nationwide workforce.

Suarez retired in 1973 at Sampdoria, happening to teach each the Genoa aspect and Inter, in addition to Como and Cagliari.

“Goodbye Luisito,” wrote Sampdoria on Twitter, posting a photograph of the Spaniard in tribute.

In 1988 he took over as coach of the Spanish nationwide workforce, guiding them to the World Cup in Italy two years later, the place they have been overwhelmed by Yugoslavia within the final 16.

“From the RFEF we wish to convey our condolences to all kin and shut pals of Luis Suarez Miramontes,” wrote the Spanish soccer federation on Twitter.

Suarez labored on Spanish radio in his later years as a commentator.

He was the namesake of, however no relation to Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who additionally performed for Barcelona.

“His father instructed me that if he’s known as Luis, it’s my fault,” the Spaniard instructed So Foot in 2016.