Luis Suarez, a former midfielder who played for Barcelona and Inter Milan, and the only male footballer born in Spain to have won the Ballon d’Or, passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday.
Affectionately known as “The Architect,” Suarez earned the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 1960 and later went on to coach the Spanish national team during the 1990 World Cup.
In a statement, Barcelona confirmed the sad news, saying, “Luis Suarez Miramontes passed away this Sunday in Milan at the age of 88. He played for Barca from 1954 to 1961 before moving to Inter Milan, where he also became a legend.”
Suarez gained immense popularity in Italy, where he became one of the most revered midfielders in the league while playing for Inter Milan under coach Helenio Herrera in the 1960s, following his transition from Barcelona.
In their statement, Inter expressed their deep sadness at bidding farewell to Luisito, highlighting the nostalgia for his perfect and unique style of football that inspired generations, as well as acknowledging his significant contributions to Inter as a remarkable player.
Born in La Coruna in 1935, Suarez began his football career at Deportivo La Coruna before transferring to Barcelona in 1954. He achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including two La Liga titles with Barcelona and the Ballon d’Or award.