Luis Suarez, a former midfielder for Barcelona and Inter Milan and the only male footballer from Spain to have received the Ballon D’Or award, has passed away at the age of 88 this Sunday. Known as “The Architect”, Suarez received the acclaimed accolade in 1960 and later managed the Spanish national team in the 1990 World Cup.
Barcelona confirmed his passing in Milan at the age of 88 through an official statement, highlighting his tenure at the club from 1954 to 1961 before his transfer to Inter Milan, where he also enjoys legendary status.
Suarez garnered immense admiration in Italy, having emerged as one of Inter Milan’s most iconic midfielders under the guidance of coach Helenio Herrera in the 1960s. Herrera had also been Suarez’s coach during his time at Barcelona.
Inter Milan expressed deep sorrow over Suarez’s passing in a statement, saying, “Bidding farewell to Luisito fills us with profound melancholy. The nostalgia of his impeccable and unrivaled football, which motivated generations, intertwines with the memories of a one-of-a-kind player and an exceptional Inter performer.”
Born in La Coruna in 1935, Suarez kicked off his career at Deportivo La Coruna before joining Barcelona in 1954. He clinched two La Liga titles with the Catalan club, among other honors, including the Ballon d’Or.
Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, a two-time recipient of the women’s Ballon d’Or, is the only other player born in Spain to have won the award.
Alfredo Di Stefano, who represented Argentina and later the Spanish national team, clinched the award twice but was born in Buenos Aires.
In one of his final interviews before passing away in 2014, Di Stefano said, “Suarez was an extraordinary player, among the best Spaniards in history, sharing that honor with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.”
