Former Barcelona and Inter Milan midfielder Luis Suarez, the only Spanish-born men’s footballer to have won the Ballon d’Or, has passed away at the age of 88, according to statements from both clubs on Sunday.
Suarez, who joined Barcelona in 1955, achieved the prestigious Ballon d’Or award after leading the Catalan side to a league and cup double in 1959.
In addition to his success at Barcelona, Suarez also represented Spain in 32 matches and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 1964.
Barcelona confirmed the news of Suarez’s death in a statement, describing him as one of the greatest players in the history of Spanish football and a crucial figure for the club during the late 1950s.
After his time at Barcelona, Suarez joined Inter Milan in 1961, where he enjoyed further success, winning three Serie A titles, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups during his nine-year tenure.
Inter Milan expressed their sadness at the loss of Suarez, praising his exceptional football skills and his significant contributions to the team. They quoted former manager Helenio Herrera, who believed in Suarez’s ability to make the right decisions on the field.
Following his retirement from playing in 1973, Suarez transitioned into coaching, managing teams such as Inter Milan, Deportivo La Coruna, Cagliari, and SPAL. He also had the opportunity to lead the Spanish national team from 1988 to 1991, guiding them to the group stage of the 1990 World Cup.
It is worth noting that Alfredo di Stefano, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1957 and 1959, was born in Argentina but obtained Spanish nationality in 1956.
The news was reported by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru and edited by Clare Fallon, adhering to the Thomson RushHourDaily Trust Principles.
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