Luis Suarez is an Uruguayan striker who now plays for Spanish club Barcelona and the Uruguay National Team.
Early Years
Luis Suarez’s real name is Luis Alberto Suarez Diaz, and he was born in Salto, Uruguay, on January 24, 1987. His father’s name is Rodolfo Suarez, and his mother’s name is Sandra Suarez. Rodolfo Suarez was a porter from a poor mixed background with African ancestors. Luis’ family relocated to Montevideo for employment when he was seven years old. He is one of seven siblings. Paolo Suarez, his older brother, is also a professional football player who has represented Guatemala on the national team. Their youth was marked by poverty, and they struggled to get him a pair of soccer shoes. He did, however, manage to play on the streets and continue with the sport. His mother boosted his confidence by introducing him to Urreta FC, a wealthy football team. Wilson Pierz, who was scouting for the National Youth Team, noticed him when he was nine years old while playing for Urreta FC. His father abandoned the family when he was twelve, making it extremely difficult for his mother and grandmother to raise the sons. Despite his lack of academic ability and enthusiasm for football, the need to make money drove him to pursue the sport as a vocation.
Career
Suarez grew up in Salto, where he played football, then moved to Montevideo with his family at the age of seven, where he played youth football for Urreta FC. Suarez joined the Nacionales youth squad when he was 14 years old. In the Copa Libertadores, he made his first-team debut against Junior De Barranquilla. He made his debut in September and scored 10 goals in 27 games to help Nacional win the Uruguayan League. Suarez made his international football debut in 2007 when he was a member of the Uruguayan side that advanced to the knockout stage of the U20 World Cup in Canada. They were defeated by the United States there. Following the U20 World Cup, he received professional football offers from Groningen and Ajax. He joined Groningen immediately after and was signed by Ajax for a five-year contract. He was named Dutch Footballer of the Year after scoring 111 goals for the club.
Suarez was then signed by Liverpool FC, becoming one of the most expensive players in the world in 2011. They won the Champions League, and he was awarded the ‘Golden Boot.’ Player of the Year was bestowed to him. Suarez was instrumental in Uruguay’s fourth-place performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2011, after winning the Fifteenth Copa America, he was awarded Player of the Tournament. In the 2012 Olympics, he led the national team as captain. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he scored his country’s 40th international goal.
Career Opportunities on the Global Stage
Suarez made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2018. He scored twice in Uruguay’s 4-2 win against Bolivia in their final World Cup qualifying match on October 10, 2017. They were guaranteed a spot in the tournament in Russia. He earned his 100th cap against Saudi Arabia in Uruguay’s second World Cup group match on June 20, 2018, scoring one goal. On June 25, 2018, he scored a free-kick goal in a 3-0 win over hosts Russia.
Personal Experiences
Suarez began dating Sofia Balbi when he was 15 years old in Montevideo. Sofia had a beneficial impact on his life. When Sofia’s family moved to Barcelona in 2003, he became more interested in football and decided to accompany them to Europe to see Sofia again. They married in 2009 and have a son and a daughter together.