Legendary Spanish Footballer Luis Suarez, the Sole Spanish-born Ballon d'Or Winner, Passes Away at 88
Legendary Spanish Footballer Luis Suarez, the Sole Spanish-born Ballon d'Or Winner, Passes Away at 88
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| Spanish Footballer Luis Suarez passes away(Image-Wikipedia) |
Spanish Football Icon Luis Suarez, the Only Spanish-born Ballon d'Or Winner, Passes Away at 88
Luis Suarez, former midfielder for Barcelona and Inter Milan, and the sole Spanish-born male footballer to have ever won the prestigious Ballon d'Or, has passed away at the age of 88, as announced by both clubs on Sunday.
Suarez, who joined Barcelona in 1955, secured the Ballon d'Or, the highest individual honor in soccer, after leading the Catalan side to a league and cup double in 1959.
During his illustrious career, he also represented Spain 32 times and played a crucial role in the national team's victory in the European Championship in 1964.
Barcelona released a statement saying, "Luis Suarez Miramontes passed away on Sunday in Milan at the age of 88. Fondly known as 'Luisito,' he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of Spanish football, having played a vital role in Barcelona's success in the late 1950s."
Suarez joined Inter Milan in 1961, where he achieved remarkable success, winning three Serie A titles, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups during his nine-year spell in Milan.
Inter Milan expressed their deep sorrow, stating, "Saying goodbye to Luisito fills us with profound sadness: we long for his flawless and unmatched football, which inspired generations while cherishing the memories of an extraordinary player and a true Inter legend. We will miss him dearly, as Helenio Herrera, former Inter manager, used to say, 'If you don't know what to do, give the ball to Suarez.'"
Following his retirement from playing in 1973, Suarez ventured into a managerial career, overseeing teams such as Inter Milan, Deportivo La Coruna, Cagliari, and SPAL. He also served as the coach of the Spanish national team from 1988 to 1991, leading them to advance past the group stage in the 1990 World Cup.
Although Alfredo di Stefano, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1957 and 1959, was born in Argentina, he obtained Spanish citizenship in 1956.
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