Luis Suárez, is often hailed as one of the most talented forwards of his generation, scoring over 500 goals throughout his career. After being a hot topic in the media for recently retiring from international football, lets dive into his phenomenal career and learn about how our technology has played a part in Luis Suárez’s legacy in football.
Born January 24th, 1987, in Salto, Uruguay, Suárez’s journey from a modest background to a global footballing icon is one that took talent, relentless ambition and a competitive spirit, which is unmatched by many.
RISE TO STARDOM
Suárez’s footballing journey began in his hometown where he found his passion for the game at local club Artigas de Salto. At the age of 7, he moved with his family to the capital, Montevideo, where he played youth football at Urreta. At 14, Luis then joined one of Uruguay's most successful clubs and 3-time Copa Libertadores Champions, Nacional. After making his professional debut at the age of 18, he continued to develop his game play and was fast emerging as a deadly striker, scoring 10 goals in 27 matches helping Nacional win the 2005/06 Uruguayan League.
Whilst impressing against Defensor, scouts from Dutch club Groningen made the move to sign Luis in a move worth €800,000. His time with Groningen only lasted one-season, where he scored 15 goals in all competitions, with 10 coming in the Eredivisie, helping his side finish a respectable 8th. Dutch giants Ajax saw the striker's huge potential and eventually signed the hot prospect in 2007 for a fee of €7.5 million.
It was at Ajax that Suárez started to flourish into the star many had thought he was going to be, as he went onto score 111 goals in 159 matches during his four-year stay. Although individual success came with the Eredivisie Golden Boot, Dutch Footballer of the Year and back-to-back Ajax Player of the Year awards, Ajax enjoyed moderate success during Suarez's tenure, winning the Dutch League (2010/11) and Cup (2009/10) once.
SUAREZ BECOMES A RED
Whilst on suspension for a biting incident on PSV's Otman Bakkal, Luis Suárez made the £22.8 million move to English superpower Liverpool FC. Suárez's time at Liverpool, from 2011 to 2014, was marked by his exceptional talent and remarkable performances on the pitch. He quickly became a fan favourite, showcasing his incredible dribbling skills, vision, and finishing ability.
Suárez's most notable season came in 2013-14 when he scored an astounding 31 goals in the Premier League, earning him the Premier League Golden Boot, as well as the Premier League Player of the Season and helping Liverpool challenge for the title. His partnership with fellow forward Daniel Sturridge and the emergence of young talent Raheem Sterling, created a formidable attacking unit that thrilled fans and revitalised the club's ambitions for the years to follow.
Throughout his time at Anfield, Suárez's creativity and determination made him a key player for the team. He consistently dazzled fans with his ability to change the course of a match, often being the catalyst for Liverpool's attacking play. His contributions, including 82 goals in 133 matches, helped solidify his status as one of the club's most influential forwards, although only managing to win one team trophy. His time at Liverpool wasn't without controversy with ongoing career discipline issues, including bans for a second biting incident and a racial abuse incident with Patrice Evra.
After sharing the European Golden Shoe with Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2013/14 season, Suárez eventually made the transfer to FC Barcelona on the conclusion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It marked an end of an era but his impact on Liverpool remains a significant chapter in the club's history, with many supporters cherishing the memories of his time there.
'MSN' TREBLE WINNERS
On the 11th July 2014, Suárez signed a 5-year-deal at Barcelona for £64.8 million, making him one of the most expensive players of all time. Although his debut was delayed due to a ban for a third-biting incident at the previous World Cup, he eventually made his competitive debut on the 25th October away against Real Madrid. Despite losing 3-1 and being substituted at half time, Suárez managed to set Neymar up for a goal in the 4th minute. The season however would turn out to be a historical one for Suárez and Barcelona.
His first goal came on the 26th November in a 4-0 win against APOEL FC during the Champions League group stages, whilst he had to wait until 20th December and his 8th match for his first La Liga goal, coming against Cordoba in a 5-0 win. Goals followed against Villarreal in the Spanish Cup Semi-Final and in the second El Classico, as Barcelona enjoyed domestic success with the 2014/15 La Liga and Copa del Rey trophies. In his debut season, Suárez's Barcelona was on course a historic treble meeting Italian club Juventus in the Champions League Final. A 3-1 win followed which was inspired by Barcelona's phenomenal front 3, labelled MSN (Messi, Suarez & Neymar). The three treble winners finished the season with a total of 122 goals, the most scored by an attacking trio in Spanish football history.
More success followed Luis, who scored a total of 198 goals in 283 matches for Barça, winning 4 league titles, 4 domestic cups, 3 super cups, 1 Champions League and 1 Club World Cup. In 2015/16 (a year he won his second European Golden Shoe) he split an 11 year period where either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo won the Pichichi Trophy, which is awarded to the player with the most league goals. He later wore the armband for the club and struck up a legendary relationship with fellow South American Lionel Messi.
FINISHING THE LEGACY
He left Barca in 2020, where he was told he was no longer wanted by new Manager Ronald Koeman and then joined Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid, after a move to Juventus broke down. He scored two-goals on his debut for the club, in a 6-1 win against Granada. In fact Luis accomplished the best goal scoring start for a player at a new La Liga club since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2010. With 21 goals in his debut season, he pushed Atletico Madrid to a surprising league title, their first in seven years, ending the recent dominance of both Real Madrid and Barcelona. He scored 34 goals in 83 games, further showcasing his ability as a goalscorer at any club he played for.
On expiry of his two-year contract, he returned to Nacional to contribute to the club becoming Uruguayan Primera Division and Torneo Clausura Champions, the second time he won the domestic double. However his stay only last 6 months, this time moving to Brazil to play for Grêmio, where he again he enjoyed success winning both the Campeonato Gaucho and Recopa Gaucha. In his second spell in South America, he scored 37 goals in 70 games.
His final move is one to the present day, where he left Grêmio for MLS club Inter Miami in 2024, to once again form his legendary partnership with Lionel Messi as well as reunite with ex-Barca stars Sergio Busquets & Jordi Alba. Suárez made his MLS debut against Real Salt Lake and went on to score 20 goals in 27 league games, a record in a single season for the club. He helped Inter Miami win their first-ever Supporters Shield tile with 74 points and therefore advanced to Round One (second round) of the MLS Play-Offs. Unfortunately for Miami and Suárez, they were unable to repeat their season form and were beaten by Atlanta United, the Eastern Conference's 9th seed, over three matches losing 3-2 in the final match at home.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Luis Suárez has been a pivotal figure for the Uruguay national team, making significant contributions since his debut in 2007. His prowess as a forward has been evident in numerous international tournaments, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he famously helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals with crucial goals, alongside Player of the Tournament Diego Forlan.
His sole international success came soon after, where Suárez played a key role in Uruguay's triumph at the 2011 Copa América, finishing as the tournament's top scorer and leading his country to its 15th title. Known for his tenacity and skill, he has consistently been a standout player, representing Uruguay in multiple World Cups and Copa América tournaments. His ability to perform on the international stage has solidified his status as one of Uruguay's greatest footballers, earning him admiration from fans around the world.
In 2024, in the twilight of his career, Luis announced his retirement from international football after 18 years of service. He notched 69 goals in 143 games, making Luis not only his countries record goal scorer but also second-most capped player after legendary captain Diego Godín. At the end of the 2024 MLS Season, Luis Suárez legacy in football is represented through the 583 career goals he has scored and will go down as one of the best strikers to have played the game.
ESA X EL PISTOLERO
We (ESA) first met Luis Suárez in 2019 when we launched the latest PUMA boots inside our ICON in Berlin, Germany. At the time, the legendary striker—nicknamed "El Pistolero"—was playing for FC Barcelona, another one of our clients who use the Wireless Circuit for rehabilitation purposes. The PUMA activation was a huge success, as Suárez was joined by professional players Axel Witsel, Davie Selke, Julian Weigl, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Vedad Ibišević. Each player took their turn competing in the #MaestroChallenge inside the ICON.
If you're a brand or events company looking to elevate your activation with cutting-edge technology, get in touch with Elite Skills Arena today. We collaborate with global brands to create unique football experiences for events. Our equipment allows fans to get closer to the action, test their skills, compete against friends, and even compare their scores with top professionals. Available for short-term hire and fully customisable, it's the perfect addition to any event.
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