Suárez began his senior club career at Uruguayan clubNacional in 2005. He signed forGroningen the following year, before transferring toAjax in 2007. There, he won theKNVB Cup and theEredivisie. In 2011, Suárez signed forPremier League clubLiverpool, and won theLeague Cup in his first full season. In hisfinal season with the club, he produced one of the most dominant seasons in Premier League history; he equalled the goalscoring record for a 38-game Premier League season, with Liverpool finishing just two points behindManchester City in the title race. That summer,Barcelona signed Suárez £64.98 million (€82.3 million adjusted for inflation), making him one of themost expensive players of all time.
Suárez was part of a dominant attacking trio dubbedMSN, alongside Messi and Neymar. He won thetreble ofLa Liga, theCopa del Rey and theUEFA Champions League in hisfirst season, and in hissecond season he scored 59 goals in 53 matches as Barcelona won thedouble. He was named in theFIFA FIFPro World11 and awarded thePichichi Trophy and his second European Golden Shoe, becoming the first player since 2009 to win both awards other than Messi orCristiano Ronaldo.[7] He was also the first player ever to simultaneously lead La Liga in goals and assists.[8] In 2020, he signed forAtlético Madrid, where he was instrumental to the club's La Liga title triumph in his debut season.[9]
Suárez lived his early years at the Cerro neighbourhood inSalto, where he played youth football at Sportivo Artigas.[21] At age seven, he moved with his family (parents and six brothers) to Montevideo, where he played youth football at Urreta.[22] When he was a child, a car ran over his foot, breaking thefifth metatarsal bone. In spite of the injury, he continued to play.[23]
Suárez joined local sideNacional's youth team at age 14.[24] At age 16, Suárezheadbutted a referee after showing his discontent following a red card, although a sports editor claimed he "accidentally fell into the referee".[25] One night, he was caught drinking and partying, prompting his coach to threaten he would never play unless he started playing football more seriously.[24] In May 2005, at age 18, Suárez made his first-team debut againstAtlético Junior in theCopa Libertadores.[24] He scored his first goal in September 2005[26] and helped Nacional win the2005–06 Uruguayan league with 10 goals in 27 matches.[citation needed]
Suárez was found by a group of scouts from the Dutch clubGroningen when they were in Uruguay to scout another player. As they watched, he won and converted a penalty and scored a "wonder goal" againstDefensor. After watching only that match, the scouts approached Suárez and said they wanted to buy him, and after the season, Groningen paid Nacional €800,000 for him.[24] Suárez was thrilled to go to Europe because his then girlfriend, and now wife, Sofía Balbi, had moved toBarcelona; they had maintained a long-distance relationship for a year and he wanted to move closer to her.[25][26]
Suárez was 19 years old when he joined Groningen. Initially, Suárez struggled because he could not speak Dutch or English, and he played on the second team to adjust to the Dutch game.[27] His teammate and fellow Uruguayan,Bruno Silva, and his teammate Rùfson, helped him settle into living in the Netherlands and playing for a new team.[27] He worked hard to learn Dutch and his teammates respected him for his efforts with the language.[27] Suárez scored goals for Groningen, but he also had disciplinary problems; in one five-game stretch in January 2007, he scored four goals but received threeyellow cards and onered card.[28] Suárez especially made his mark in a 4–3 home win overVitesse, when with ten minutes to go he subsequently won a penalty and scored two goals.[29] Suárez ended with 10 goals in 29 league appearances[30] to help Groningen finish eighth in the2006–07 Eredivisie.[27] He also scored in a 4–2 loss to Serbian clubPartizan in hisEuropean debut on 14 September 2006.[27][31]
Ajax saw potential in Suárez and offered Groningen €3.5 million for him, but Groningen rejected the offer.[32] Suárez was upset and brought his case to theRoyal Dutch Football Association (KNVB)'s arbitration committee to try to facilitate the sale.[32] The arbitration committee ruled against him on 9 August 2007, but that same day, Ajax increased their offer to €7.5 million and Groningen accepted.[33][34]
On 9 August 2007 Suárez signed a five-year contract with Ajax, for a transfer fee of €7.5 million,[32][34] and made his club debut in aUEFA Champions League qualifier againstSlavia Prague.[35] He scored one goal in his Eredivisie debut for the club[36] and two goals in his home debut at theAmsterdam Arena.[37] Ajax finished second in the league table in the2007–08 season[38] and Suárez scored 17 goals in 33 league appearances, setting up a blossoming striking partnership with league top scorerKlaas-Jan Huntelaar.[39]
During the2008–09 season, Ajax head coachMarco van Basten noted how Suárez played an important role in many of Ajax's goals, but Van Basten was also upset by the number of yellow cards Suárez received.[36] Suárez was suspended for one match[40] because he was given his seventh yellow card of the season againstUtrecht in a 2–0 win.[41] He was also suspended after a half-time altercation with teammateAlbert Luque over afree kick.[28][36] Ajax ended the season in third place.[42] Suárez scored 22 goals in 31 league matches[36][39] and finished second in scoring tables, one goal behindMounir El Hamdaoui ofAZ.[citation needed] Suárez was also named Ajax Player of the Year.[43]
Suárez scored two goals in thesecond leg of the KNVB Cup final and finished as the tournament's top scorer.[53] Ajax won the Cup final 6–1 onaggregate overFeyenoord,[43][53] but they finished second in the league behindTwente.[44]
Suárez ended the season as the Eredivisie's top scorer with 35 goals in 33 matches, and had 49 goals in all competitions.[44] He was named Ajax Player of the Year for the second straight year[43] andDutch Footballer of the Year.[43][44][54]
Soon after Suárez returned from his World Cup campaign, he scored his 100th goal for Ajax in a 1–1 home draw againstPAOK in aUEFA Champions League qualifier.[43][55] This put him in an elite group of players, includingJohan Cruyff, Marco van Basten andDennis Bergkamp, to score 100 or more goals with the club.[56][55] Suárez continued his scoring run with a hat-trick againstDe Graafschap in a 5–0 win.[57]
On 20 November 2010, Suárez bitPSV'sOtman Bakkal on the shoulder during a 0–0 draw. Ajax suspended him for two matches and fined him an undisclosed amount, which the club said they would donate to a "good cause".[58] The Dutch daily newspaperDe Telegraaf branded Suárez the "Cannibal of Ajax".[14][56] The KNVB increased Suárez's suspension to seven league matches.[59] Suárez apologized for his actions through a video he uploaded to hisFacebook page.[56]
During the suspension, Ajax were in contact with other European clubs interested in Suárez. On 28 January 2011, they accepted a €26.5 million (£22.8 million) offer for Suárez fromPremier League clubLiverpool.[60][61][62] Despite leaving while suspended, Suárez departed Ajax on good terms, and he was given a farewell sendoff after an Ajax match. During the sendoff, an Ajax coach spoke to him and the crowd and said how the club wished he could stay longer; the crowd applauded their agreement and fireworks followed.[63] Ajax ended the2010–11 season as Eredivisie champions[64] and Suárez was given a winner's medal[citation needed][65] for his 7 goals in 13 appearances.[66]
On 31 January 2011, Suárez signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with Liverpool until 2016,[60][67] and was the club's most expensive signing (£22.8 million) until the arrival ofAndy Carroll (£35 million) a few hours later.[68] Suárez requested the number seven shirt, which had been worn by Liverpool legendsKenny Dalglish, his new manager,Kevin Keegan, andPeter Beardsley[69]
Suárez (left) was signed by Liverpool on the same day asAndy Carroll.
Suárez made his Liverpool debut on 2 February againstStoke City atAnfield in a 2–0 win; he came on as a substitute and scored Liverpool's second goal in front of theKop in the 79th minute.[68][70] He was one of Liverpool's best players during his partial season[71][72] and helped Liverpool go from 12th in the league in mid-January[71] to finish sixth.[73] He finished the2010–11 season with four goals in 13 games.[66]
The season was marked by an incident in which Suárez was found guilty by a three-man panel fromThe Football Association (FA) of racially abusingPatrice Evra during a match againstManchester United in October; he was issued an eight-match suspension and a £40,000 fine.[79] Suárez disputed this decision.[80]
After a 1–1 draw against Manchester United on 15 October 2011, Suárez was accused of racially abusing Evra,[81] and the FA opened up an investigation into the incident.[81] Suárez wrote on hisTwitter and Facebook pages that he was upset by the accusation and denied the claims.[82] On 16 November, the FA announced it would charge Suárez with "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour contrary to FA rules", including "a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra". Liverpool later released a statement announcing Suárez would plead innocent, adding they would "remain fully supportive" of him.[83] On 20 December, the FA concluded a seven-day hearing, handing Suárez an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine for racially abusing Evra.[79][84][85]
In their next meeting in February, during the pregame handshakes, Suárez avoided shaking Evra's hand, for which Suárez and Dalglish were later forced to apologise.[86] Suárez was also banned for one match formaking an obscene gesture towardsFulham fans.[87]
On 7 August 2012, Suárez signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.[88] On 26 August, he scored his first goal of the2012–13 season in a 2–2 draw with championsManchester City at Anfield.[89] On 29 September 2012, Suárez scored a hat-trick in Liverpool's Premier League fixture away atNorwich City for the second consecutive season.[90]
Suárez playing for Liverpool againstArsenal in January 2013
On 6 January 2013, Suárez handled the ball before scoring the decisive goal in Liverpool's 2–1 win overMansfield Town from theConference National in anFA Cup third round match. Liverpool's managerBrendan Rodgers defended his player by claiming "it's not his job to own up", while Mansfield managerPaul Cox said he felt "a little bit gutted" by the "instinctive" handball, but admitted he would have accepted a goal scored like that by one of his players.[91]
On 19 January, Suárez scored his seventh goal in three matches against Norwich, as Liverpool cruised to a 5–0 home league victory.[92] The following week, Suárez captained Liverpool for the first time for the FA Cup fourth round match againstOldham Athletic; Liverpool lost 2–3.[93] On 2 March, Suárez scored a hat-trick againstWigan Athletic, leading Liverpool to a dominant 4–0 victory at theDW Stadium. In so doing, he became only the third Liverpool player to score 20 Premier League goals in a single season afterRobbie Fowler andFernando Torres.[94] On 10 March, Suárez scored his 50th goal in all competitions since joiningthe Reds by scoring the opener in a 3–2 home victory overTottenham Hotspur, ending Spurs' 12-match unbeaten run. He was also named man of the match for his performance after he won the decisive penalty whichSteven Gerrard converted.
At the end of the season, Suárez was one of six players named on the shortlist forPFA Players' Player of the Year.[95] Suárez finished second in the final ballot behindGareth Bale of Tottenham[96] and was named in thePFA Team of the Year.[96] He was second-top goalscorer in the Premier League for2012–13 with 23 goals and Liverpool's top scorer in all competitions with 30 goals.[97] On 28 May 2013, he was named as Liverpool's player of the season after receiving 64% of votes in a poll of the club's supporters.[98]
Suárez about to score a 35-yard free kick againstZenit Saint Petersburg, his second goal in a 3–1 win, March 2013
On 21 April 2013, during a 2–2 draw withChelsea in a Premier League match at Anfield, Suárez bitBranislav Ivanović; this was the second time Suárez had bitten an opponent.[99] It was not noticed by the officials, and Suárez scored an equalizer in injury time.[15] The bite promptedUK Prime MinisterDavid Cameron to call on the FA to take a hard line with Suárez: the FA charged him with violent conduct and he was fined an undisclosed sum by his club.[100] Contrary to claims from Suárez, Ivanović did not accept an apology.[100] Suárez accepted the violent conduct charge but denied the FA's claim the standard punishment of three matches was clearly insufficient for his offence.[101] A three-man independent panel appointed by the FA decided on a ten-game ban for Suárez, who did not appeal the ban; the panel criticized Suárez for not appreciating "the seriousness" of the incident when he argued against a long ban. The panel also wanted to send a "strong message that such deplorable behaviours do not have a place in football", while noting that "all players in the higher level of the game are seen as role models, have the duty to act professionally and responsibly, and set the highest example of good conduct to the rest of the game – especially to young players".[102]
On 31 May 2013, Suárez said he would be seeking an exit from Liverpool in the summer, citing excessive media attention on his family as a reason for wanting to leave.[103] On 6 August, after Liverpool had rejected a bid of£40,000,001 for the player from Arsenal, Suárez reiterated his wish to leave Liverpool and said Liverpool had previously promised to allow him a transfer if the club failed to qualify for the2013–14 UEFA Champions League.[104] The following day, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Liverpool had not broken any promises to Suárez and that the player had shown "total disrespect" for the club.[105] After this incident, the British press reported that Suárez had been instructed to train away from the Liverpool first-team squad by Rodgers.[105][106][107] On 8 August, Liverpool ownerJohn W. Henry stated that Suárez would not be allowed to leave the club.[108]
On 14 August, Suárez reversed his position about wanting to leave the club, with reports stating he wanted to stay at the club and that he was possibly going to sign a contract extension, citing the support from Liverpool supporters as the reason for his unexpected turnaround.[109][110] Suárez returned to first-team training two days later after "offer[ing] contrition" to his teammates but reportedly not apologizing to his manager.[111] On 25 September, Suárez returned to the Liverpool team after his suspension to make his first appearance of the2013–14 season in aLeague Cup third round tie against Manchester United atOld Trafford, losing 1–0.[112][113] On 29 September, Suárez made his firstPremier League appearance of the season, scoring twice as Liverpool defeatedSunderland 3–1 at theStadium of Light.[114] On 26 October, he scored his fourth Premier League hat-trick, his first at Anfield, in a 4–1 defeat ofWest Bromwich Albion.[115]
On 4 December, Suárez scored four goals against Norwich City in a 5–1 home win.[116] He became the first player in Premier League history to score three hat-tricks against the same club, and took his scoring record against Norwich to 11 goals in 5 matches.[117] On 15 December, Suárez captained Liverpool for the first time in a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.[118] He both scored and assisted twice as the team recorded a 5–0 win atWhite Hart Lane to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to two points.[119] The following day, Suárez was named theFootball Supporters' Federation Player of the Year for 2013.[120] On 20 December, Suárez signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Liverpool.[121][122]
On 1 January 2014, by scoring in a 2–0 home win overHull City, Suárez became the first Liverpool player to score 20 or more goals in successive Premier League seasons since Robbie Fowler in1994–95 and1995–96.[123] He equaledAndy Cole's Premier League record for the earliest date to reach the 20-goal mark, but set a new record low of 15 matches.[124] His strike partnership this season withDaniel Sturridge has earned them a nickname "SAS",i.e.,Sturridge and Suárez.[125]
On 1 March, Suárez made his 100th Premier League appearance, scoring in a 3–0 win overSouthampton atSt Mary's Stadium.[126] In the following fixture, he scored his 25th league goal of the season as Liverpool defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time since 2009 by a convincing three-goal margin.[127] On 22 March, Suárez scored his sixthPremier League hat-trick, and third of the season, in a 6–3 win overCardiff City at theCardiff City Stadium.[128] On 30 March, he broke Robbie Fowler's club record of 28 goals in a Premier League season in a 4–0 home win against Tottenham which took Liverpool top of the league with six matches remaining.[129] On 20 April, he scored in a 3–2 win at Norwich to become the first Liverpool player to score 30 league goals in a season sinceIan Rush in1986–87.[130] This also made him the seventh player to score 30 goals in a Premier League season, following Andy Cole,Alan Shearer,Kevin Phillips,Thierry Henry,Cristiano Ronaldo andRobin van Persie.[131]
On 18 April, Suárez was named as one of the six players nominated for thePFA Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season.[132] On 27 April, he won the award, becoming the first non-European to win the award.[133] On 5 May 2014, Suárez was named as theFootball Association Writers Player of the Year.[134] He finished the season with 31 goals in 33 matches, winning thePremier League Golden Boot, with Sturridge as runner-up,[135] as Liverpool came second in the league and returned to the UEFA Champions League. Suárez also won the Barclay'sPremier League Player of the Season award.[136] As the Premier League's top scorer with 31 goals, he also shared theEuropean Golden Shoe with Cristiano Ronaldo.[137]
Suárez making his Barcelona debut againstClub León in August 2014. After serving his four-month suspension for biting at the 2014 World Cup he made his competitive debut for the club on 25 October.
On 11 July 2014, Suárez agreed withBarcelona on a five-year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee, however, according to a leaked document byFootball Leaks, the fee was £64.98 million (€82.3 million adjusted for inflation), making himone of the most expensive players in world football history.[138][139][140]Barça confirmed Suárez would wear the number 9 shirt for the2014–15 season.[141]
Suárez missed the first part of the season after being found guilty of biting Italian playerGiorgio Chiellini at the2014 FIFA World Cup.[142] As part of the suspension, he was banned from all "football-related activities", including training for Barcelona, for four months (until 26 October). He was also banned from entering any stadium, even as a spectator, during the same period.[142] On 24 July, Suárez and his lawyers filed an appeal with theCourt of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and requested the sanctions be reduced or the suspension to be lifted.[143] The parties were heard at a hearing at the CAS offices inLausanne, Switzerland, on 8 August.[144] Six days later, the CAS confirmed the ban imposed byFIFA against Suárez, who remained suspended from football for four months, as well as a nine-match ban in internationals, the first of which was served inUruguay's round of 16 match against Colombia in the 2014 World Cup. However, the CAS removed the player's "football-related activities" ban and he was allowed to train with Barcelona. As a result of this ban, Suárez was banned from participating in the2015 Copa América.
The CAS permitted Suárez to play in friendly matches, and he made his Barcelona debut on 18 August againstClub León of Mexico at theCamp Nou, replacingRafinha for the final 14 minutes of an eventual 6–0 win in theGamper Trophy. Fellow forwards Lionel Messi andNeymar had already been substituted off by the time Suárez took to the pitch.[145]
Suárez made his competitive debut for Barcelona on 25 October, starting in attack with Messi and Neymar away toReal Madrid inEl Clásico.[146] Although he set up Neymar for the opening goal in the fourth minute, Suárez was substituted in the second half and Barcelona lost 3–1.[146] He scored his first goal for the club on 26 November in a 4–0 win atAPOEL in theUEFA Champions Leaguegroup stage.[147] On 20 December, he scored his first league goal for the club in his eighthLa Liga match, contributing to a 5–0 home win againstCórdoba.[148]
Barcelona fans prior to the2015 UEFA Champions League Final in Berlin holding up pictures of the attacking trio, Messi, Suárez and Neymar (MSN)
On 24 February 2015, Suárez scored twice asBarça defeated English championsManchester City 2–1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions Leagueround of 16 tie.[149] On 4 March, he scored in Barcelona's 3–1Copa del Rey semi-final win overVillarreal to qualify the club for its 37thSpanish Cupfinal.[150] On 8 March, Suárez scored twice in a 6–1 home win overRayo Vallecano.[151] On 22 March, Suárez scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the 2–1 victory over Real Madrid atCamp Nou.[152] In the post-match press conference, his coachLuis Enrique lauded Suárez, saying, "Very few players can score a goal like he did, and that is why we signed him. He can decide games. He's a pure scorer, who needs very little to finish."[152]
On 15 April, Suárez scored two goals in a 3–1 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg victory overParis Saint-Germain at theParc des Princes.[153] Henutmegged PSG defenderDavid Luiz twice before scoring both goals.[154] On 2 May, he scored his first hat-trick for the club, in 8–0 win at Córdoba.[155] On 12 May, Suárez set up both of Neymar's goals in the second leg of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League semi-final tie as they went on to win 5–3 on aggregate againstBayern Munich.[156] Suárez scored in theChampions League final againstJuventus on 6 June inBerlin, putting the team back into the lead in an eventual 3–1 win by converting the rebound afterGianluigi Buffon saved from Messi. The win sealed atreble for the team.[157]
Suárez ended his first season at Barcelona with 25 goals and 20 assists in all competitions.[158] The Barcelona attacking trio of Messi, Suárez and Neymar, dubbed "MSN", ended with 122 goals, the most in a season for an attacking trio in Spanish football history.[159]
2015–16: Second European Golden Shoe, domestic success
Suárez opened the2015–16 season by scoring and assisting a goal in Barcelona's 5–4extra time victory overSevilla in the2015 UEFA Super Cup, on 11 August 2015.[160] On 25 October, he scored his first hat trick of the season, as Barcelona beat Eibar 3–1. The following week, Suárez scored in a 2–0 away win againstGetafe after being assisted with a backheel fromSergi Roberto, his 300th career goal.[161] On 21 November, Suárez scored twice in Barcelona's 4–0 away win against Real Madrid.[162] On 17 December, Suárez scored all three goals as Barcelona defeated Chinese clubGuangzhou Evergrande 3–0 in the2015 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final inYokohama, Japan, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick inthe competition's history.[163] He then scored twice in Barcelona's 3–0 win over Argentine clubRiver Plate inthe final,[164] finishing the tournament as top scorer with five goals and being named the best player of the competition.[165] On 17 January 2016, Suárez scored a hat trick against Athletic Bilbao, in a game that ended 6–0 for Barcelona.
On 3 February 2016, Suárez scored four goals in a 7–0Copa del Rey win againstValencia.[166] On 16 February, he recorded his 3rd hat trick of the LaLiga Campaign, netting 3 against Celta Vigo in Barcelona's 6–1 win. On 16 March, he scored an acrobatic goal as Barcelona beatArsenal 3–1 in the second leg of theirChampions League round of 16 tie.[167] On 5 April, he scored both of Barcelona's goals in a 2–1 comeback victory over Atlético Madrid during their first leg of the quarter-finals,[168] though Barcelona were still eliminated from the competition following defeat in the second leg.[169] On 20 April, Suárez again scored four times in a match, as well as assisting three further goals for teammates, asBarça won 8–0 away atDeportivo La Coruña in La Liga. Three days later, he scored another four goals in a 6–0 home win overSporting Gijón, becoming the first player to score four times in back-to-back matches in the history of La Liga.[170] On 30 April, Suárez became only the second player in the history of the club to reach the milestone of 35 goals in a single league season.[171][172]
On the final day of the2015–16 La Liga season, Suárez scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 victory atGranada, securing a second consecutiveSpanish championship forBarça and registering 40 league goals for the season to win his firstPichichi Trophy and a secondEuropean Golden Shoe. Suárez also became the first player since 2009 other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win both the Pichichi and the Golden Shoe in a season.[173][174] Fourteen of his goals came in his last five matches. Suárez also led the league in assists, tied at 16 with Messi, becoming the first player ever to lead La Liga in both goals and assists.[8][175] On 22 May, Suárez suffered aright hamstring injury during Barcelona's 2–0 victory over Sevilla in the2016 Copa del Rey Final. The club confirmed after the match that he would likely miss at least part of the upcomingCopa América Centenario withhis national team.[176] For Uruguay, Suárez also previously missed part of the 2014 World Cup and the entire 2015 Copa América through suspension.[177] Suárez ended the season with 59 goals and 22 assists.[158] The front three of Messi, Suárez and Neymar finished with 131 goals, breaking the record they had set the previous year for most goals by an attacking trio in a single season.[178]
Suárez opened the2016–17 season by scoring a goal in Barcelona's2016 Supercopa de España first leg match against Sevilla as they recorded a 2–0 away victory. In the first match of the2016–17 La Liga season, Suárez scored a hat-trick in a 6–2 victory againstReal Betis, also claiming his first free kick goal for Barcelona.[179] Suárez made his 100th Barcelona appearance in a 1–2 defeat at home toAlavés. Though unable to score, Suárez still claimed the distinction of having more goals and assists in his first 100 matches in Spain than both Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi; Suárez contributed 88 goals and 43 assists in his first 100 matches for Barcelona, compared to Ronaldo's 95 goals and 29 assists, and Messi's 41 goals and 14 assists.[180]
Suárez opened hisChampions League account for the season with two goals in a 7–0 win defeat ofCeltic on 13 September;[181] this was followed by another goal three days later in a 5–1 La Liga win atLeganés.[182]
On 3 December, Suárez opened the scoring with a second half header inEl Clásico, though Real Madrid scored a late equalizer and the match ended in a 1–1 draw.[183] Later on 18 December, Suárez scored a brace as well as provided an assist as Barcelona won 4–1 againstEspanyol inDerbi barceloní.[184] On 11 January 2017, Suárez scored his 100th goal for Barcelona in aCopa del Rey round of 16 match againstAthletic Bilbao.[185]
During the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, on 1 February, Suárez dribbled his way through opposing defence from his own half to score Barcelona's first goal in a narrow 2–1 victory.[186] On 7 February, Suárez scored and was later sent off for a second yellow in Barcelona's semi-final second leg match of the Copa del Rey against Atlético for a foul onKoke, his first red card for the club, meaning he would miss thefinal.[187] In an interview after the match, Suárez expressed his disdain with the referee's decision, and his desire for the club to appeal it.[188] Barcelona would go on to win the final despite Suárez's absence, lifting the cup for a third straight season.[189]
On 8 March, Suárez opened the scoring with a third-minute header in Barcelona's famous6–1 victory over PSG in theChampions League round of 16 second leg, also later winning a penalty which Neymar converted for his side's fifth goal.[190] Barcelona won 6–5 over PSG on aggregate, overcoming a 0–4 deficit suffered in the first leg, and achieved the biggest second leg comeback in Champions League history.[191]
Suárez finished the season with 37 goals and 16 assists.[158] Meanwhile, the attacking trio of Messi, Suárez and Neymar ended with 111 goals in their final campaign together.[192]
2017–18: Domestic double and record unbeaten streak
On 23 September 2017, Suárez scored in Barcelona's 3–0 win overGirona, in the first ever Catalan derby for the opposition.[193] On 14 October, Suárez maintained Barcelona's undefeated start to the La Liga season with a late header againstAtlético Madrid at theMetropolitano Stadium in Madrid.[194] He scored twice againstLeganés in a 3–0 win at theEstadio Municipal de Butarque on 18 November.[195] On 2 December, Suárez scored Barcelona's second goal in a 2–2 draw with Celta de Vigo.[196] A week later, on 10 December, Suárez and Messi scored again as Barcelona won 2–0 against Villarreal.[197] On 17 December, Suárez scored two against Deportivo La Coruña in a 4–0 win.[198] Less than a week later, he opened the scoring for Barcelona in a 3–0 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.[199] His goal at El Clásico was the 400th goal of his professional career.[200]
Following the midseason break, Suárez scored twice in a 4–2 comeback win atReal Sociedad on 14 January 2018.[201] A week later, on 21 January, he scored a brace as well as assisted twice in Barcelona's 5–0 win against Real Betis.[202] He scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 home win over Girona on 24 February.[203] On 4 April, Suárez scored during a 4–1 victory overAS Roma in the first leg of Champions League quarter-final, though Roma would end up mounting a comeback, knocking Barcelona out in the second leg.[204]
On 14 April, Suárez scored as Barcelona defeated Valencia 2–1 to secure thelongest unbeaten streak in La Liga history, at 39 games.[205] On 21 April, Barcelona won their fourth consecutive Copa del Rey title, beating Sevilla 5–0 in thefinal in Madrid, with Suárez scoring twice.[206] On 29 April, Suárez set up all three of Messi's goals in a 4–2 victory over Deportivo La Coruña, winning his third league title with Barcelona.[207] A week later, Barcelona held on for a dramatic 2–2 draw at home to Real Madrid on 6 May, to extend their unbeaten streak in the league; Suárez and Messi scored the goals for Barça.[208] Barcelona's record league unbeaten streak came to an end after 43 games, following a 4–5 loss to Levante in the penultimate game of the season on 13 May. Barcelona mounted a comeback after trailing 1–5, with both Suárez and new club record signingPhilippe Coutinho scoring a brace each, but they couldn't find an equalizer.[209] Suárez finished the season with 31 goals and 17 assists in total, and his 12 La Liga assists made him league's top assist provider for the third consecutive season.[158][210]
Suárez scored twice for Barcelona in an 8–2 win over newly promotedHuesca on 2 September 2018.[211] A week later he scored in their 2–1 victory at Real Sociedad, as the club made it four wins out of four in La Liga.[212] On 28 October, Suárez scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 home win over Real Madrid inEl Clásico.[213] He became only the second Barcelona player after Messi to score a league hat-trick in theClásico over the last twenty years.[214] A week later, on 3 November, Suárez scored twice to lead a 3–2 comeback victory overRayo Vallecano.[215]
On 13 January, Suárez scored twice and assisted Messi's goal in Barcelona's 3–0 victory over Eibar, helping his team to a 5 points lead on top of the league table.[216] On 27 February, Suárez again scored twice against Real Madrid during a 3–0 victory in the second leg of2018–19 Copa del Rey semi-final.[217] On 27 April 2019, Barcelona secured a second consecutiveLa Liga title, and Suárez's fourth league title with the club.[218] However, Suárez scored only one goal in the2018–19 UEFA Champions League; this came on 1 May, as he netted Barcelona's opener in their 3–0 win over Suárez's former club Liverpool in the first leg of the semi-finals.[219] However, Barcelona would go on to lose the second leg 0–4 atAnfield on 7 May, being eliminated and squandering a three-goal first leg lead in the competition for the second consecutive season.[220] Suárez ended the season with 25 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.[158]
On 15 September, after coming off a calf injury that he suffered during the first game of the2019–20 league campaign,[221] Suárez opened his scoring account by netting a brace in a 5–2 victory over Valencia as a 60th-minute substitute.[222] On 2 October, he scored two goals in a 2–1 comeback win overInter Milan in the2019–20 UEFA Champions League group stage.[223] Four days later, he opened the scoring in a 4–0 league victory over Sevilla with abicycle kick.[224]
On 7 December, he scored a curving backheel goal in a 5–2 victory overMallorca, being lauded by many as one of the goals of the season.[225] Three days later, Suárez captained Barcelona for the first time as he came off the bench to set upAnsu Fati's late goal in a 2–1 win over Inter during the final match of Barcelona's Champions League group. On 12 January 2020, Barcelona confirmed that Suárez would have to undergo a surgery which could see him out for four months, after suffering a knee injury during their defeat against Atlético in theSupercopa de España.[226] By scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win overEspanyol on 9 July, Suárez took his tally to 195 goals with Barcelona, surpassingLászló Kubala to become the third all-time top scorer in the club's history.[227]
On 8 August, having missed the first leg due to injury, Suárez scored from thepenalty spot during Barcelona's 3–1 win overNapoli in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, as they advanced to the quarter-finals to playBayern Munich in a single-legged match.[228] On 14 August, Suárez scored his side's second goal as Barcelona suffered a historic2–8 defeat against Bayern, the club's worst defeat in nearly seventy years that capped a first trophyless season since2007–08.[229]
After becoming Barcelona head coach on 19 August 2020,Ronald Koeman informed Suárez he was no longer wanted, and club presidentJosep Maria Bartomeu had also left him off a list of players he considered not for sale in the aftermath of the 8–2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier that month.[230] On 23 September 2020, after failing to joinJuventus and amid accusations that he cheated his way to obtain an Italian citizenship,[231] Suárez signed a two-year contract withAtlético Madrid.[232]
On 27 September, Suárez made his debut for the club, scoring two goals and providingMarcos Llorente with an assist in a 6–1 victory againstGranada.[233] On 25 November, Suárez's backheel goal against Mallorca, which he scored on 7 December 2019, was nominated for the2020 FIFA Puskás Award, eventually finishing in second behind a goal scored byTottenham Hotspur'sSon Heung-min.[234] On 3 January 2021, Suárez scored a 90th-minute winner againstAlavés, a feat which saw him overtakeRadamel Falcao's record for a player's best start with Atlético this century; his elevengoal contributions (nine goals and two assists) in his first twelve La Liga matches surpassed Falcao's nine goals and one assist over the same period in 2011.[235]
On 21 January, Suárez scored a brace, including a last-minute penalty, in a 2–1 win overEibar. This meant that he had managed to hit double figures in goals in each of his past ten league campaigns.[236] Three days later, he scored Atlético's second goal in a 3–1 comeback victory overValencia, taking his league tally to twelve goals in fifteen games, the joint-most in La Liga. This feat meant Suárez had accomplished the best start for a player at a new club in the league sinceCristiano Ronaldo's move toReal Madrid (13 goals in 15 appearances in 2010).[237] On 31 January, Suárez scored another two goals in a 4–2 victory overCádiz, also netting his first free kick goal for the club.[238] He then scored an additional brace on 8 February, in Atlético's 2–2 draw againstCelta Vigo.[239]
On 7 March, Suárez scored the opener against Real Madrid in theMadrid Derby, his first goal in five matches, though Atlético conceded late as the match ended in a 1–1 draw.[240] On 21 March, Suárez headed in the match-winner to score his 500th senior career goal as Atlético edged a 1–0 victory over Alavés.[241] On 16 May, the penultimate matchday of the La Liga season, Suárez scored a crucial winner in the dying minutes of his side's 2–1 comeback victory overOsasuna, recording his twentieth goal of the season and ensuring that Atlético remained on top of the table.[242] On 22 May, the final matchday of the league season, Suárez scored the winning goal in a 2–1 comeback away atReal Valladolid, leading his club to a victory that would ultimately hand them their first La Liga title in seven years.[243] Suárez finished his debut season as Atletico's top scorer with 21 goals.[244]
Suárez scored during his first league start of the season against Villarreal, although he suffered a bruise and had to be taken off, resulting in a 2–2 draw.[245] On 21 September, Suárez scored both of Atletico's goals in a 2–1 comeback victory over Getafe.[246] On 28 September, Suárez scored an injury time penalty during a 2–1 comeback away win againstAC Milan in the2021–22 UEFA Champions League group stage.[247] On 2 October, Suárez both scored and assisted as Atletico defeated Barcelona 2–0 in La Liga, though he did not celebrate netting against his former club.[248] Suárez scored another brace on 24 October, as he led Atletico to a 2–2 draw against Real Sociedad after trailing by two goals.[249] On 2 April, he scored two goals against Alavés in a 4–1 win.[250] Following the result he reached a tally of 11 league goals for the season; the tenth consecutive season in domestic leagues he reached double figures in his career.
On 15 May 2022, after the last home match this campaign for Atlético, the team announced Suárez's departure at the end of the season,[251] where he was given a farewell as well as a standing ovation as fans unfurled a giant banner reading "Thank you Lucho for making us champions."[252] Later on, the club also honored Suárez by presenting an illustration of his figure across the main mural at the museum ofWanda Metropolitano[253] Suárez again ended the season as Atletico's top scorer with 13 goals.[244]
On 31 October, during the Championship finals, Suárez had a Man of the Match performance where he scored twice to lead his team to a 4–1 victory againstLiverpool Montevideo, making Nacional2022 Uruguayan Primera División Champions.[258] He ended the season with eight goals and three assists in 14 league games.[244]
On 31 December 2022,Grêmio announced Suárez would join the club on a two-year contract.[259] Suárez was presented on 4 January atArena do Grêmio in front of 30,000 fans.[260] He made his debut on 17 January 2023 in a match againstSão Luiz for the2023 Recopa Gaúcha. Suárez scored ahat-trick in a 4–1 win.[261]
On 8 April, Suárez won his second title for Grêmio: theCampeonato Gaúcho. Suárez scored a penalty goal againstCaxias at the second leg of the2023 Campeonato Gaúcho finals, thus beating Caxias 2–1 on aggregate.[262]
In late June, rumours began to circulate that Suárez might retire before the end of his contract due his extensive knee injuries. On 21 June in a press conference, Grêmio president Alberto Guerra announced that Suárez "gives himself almost daily injections and special treatments, he is in constant pain. It is serious. Suárez has the possibility of being fitted with a prosthesis."[263] However, on the next day, Grêmio played againstAmérica Mineiro, resulting in a 3–1 victory with a decisive performance by Suárez; with one goal, one assist and multiple plays and goal attempts. In the post-match press interview, Grêmio's vice-president Paulo Caleffi denied any rumors and Suárez himself mocked the rumors in social media.[264]
In July, rumours resurfaced that Suárez still had knee issues and wished to leave early, starting negotiations with Grêmio's board.[265][266] After various rumours on media, Suárez revealed on a press conference together with Grêmio's vice-president Antônio Brum that he would shorten his contract to the end of 2023. He cited that his knee issues were particularly exacerbated with the long and intense schedule of the Brazilian league.[267][268]
On 9 November 2023, Suárez scored his second hat-trick for Grêmio, as they beat leadersBotafogo away 4–3 after trailing 3–1.[269]
He finished theCampeonato Brasileiro with 17 goals and 11 assists, totaling 28 goal contributions in 33 games. He was the leader in goal participation in the competition, leading Grêmio to be the runner-up in the championship. In December, Suárez was elected Best Player of theBrasileirão and awarded theBola de Ouro byESPN Brazil.[270]
Suarez training for a game against the New York Red Bulls on 23 March 2024
In the summer of 2023, plans were made for Suárez to joinInter Miami for a reunion with Messi,Sergio Busquets, andJordi Alba. However, his contract with Grêmio did not allow him to join the club. In October, Inter Miami's head coach,Gerardo Martino, said that the club was planning on the possible arrival of Suárez in 2024, having an analysis of the2024 season with and without Suárez.[271] By November, multiple reports indicated that Suárez was set to join Inter Miami on a one-year deal with an option for a further year.[272][273][274] On 22 December 2023, Inter Miami officially announced Suárez would join the club for the 2024 season.[275][276]
Suárez made his2024 MLS season debut in a match againstReal Salt Lake on 21 February 2024, providing an assist toDiego Gómez in a 2–0 win.[277] Suárez scored his first goals for the club on 2 March with a brace against cross-state rivalsOrlando City in a 5–0 victory, helping secure the club's largest ever margin of victory.[278] On 7 March, Suárez and Inter Miami made their debuts in theCONCACAF Champions Cup againstNashville SC.[279] He would score a goal, helping the first leg end 2–2.[280] On 4 May, Suárez scored his first hat-trick for the club with the help of three assists from Messi in a 6–2 win over theNew York Red Bulls.[281] On 24 August, Suárez scored the fastest goal in the club's history when he fired a shot pastFC Cincinnati'sRoman Celentano just 30 seconds after the start of the game. Suárez would make it a brace just 5 minutes later to seal a 2–0 victory.[282] On 14 September, Suárez scored his 17th goal for the club in league play to help Inter Miami to a 3–1 win overPhiladelphia Union which also allowed him to surpassGonzalo Higuaín's club record for the most goals scored in the regular season.[283]
On 27 November 2024, Suárez signed a new one-year contract with Inter Miami, extending his stay at the club until the end of the 2025 season.[284]
Suárez made his debut in the2025 MLS season in a 2–2 draw againstNew York City on 22 February 2025. A few days later on 25 February 2025, Suárez and Lionel Messi were fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for violating the league's hands to the face/head/neck policy during the opening match of the season three days earlier againstNew York City FC.[285] Suárez grabbed the back of the neck of New York City FC playerBirk Risa during an argument at the start of half-time.[286] Despite getting fined by MLS, Messi and Suárez were still able to play againstSporting KC on the same day in theCONCACAF Champions Cup, with both of them scoring in a 3–1 win.[287]
Suárez would score his first goal of the season on 2 March 2025 in a game againstHouston Dynamo it resulted in a 4–1 win he would also get three goal contributions in the game with assists to newcomer,Telasco Segovia andTadeo Allende.[288] On 6 March, Suárez scored a goal againstCavalier F.C. where they won 2–0 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.[289] He would score against Cavalier F.C. again on March 13, through a penalty in another 2–0 win in the second leg sending them to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.[290] Later that year, on 24 June, he scored in a 2–2 draw againstPalmeiras during the2025 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming, at the age of 38 years and 151 days, the second oldest player in history to score in the Club World Cup, only behind Sergio Ramos, who had set the record a few days earlier at 39.[291]
The2025 Leagues Cup final was played between Inter Miami and theSeattle Sounders atLumen Field inSeattle, with the home team winning 3–0. The rough timeline shows that the brawl started after the full time whistle when Suárez andObed Vargas were bantering. This led Suárez to put his arm around Vargas' neck, putting him in a headlock, with the benches clearing afterwards,[292][293] and Suárez spitting on Sounders security director Gene Ramirez.[294][295] Suárez stepped onto the foot of Ramirez, who was trying to disengage, and spat on the bill of Ramirez's cap and cheek.[296]
Suárez received suspensions for the 2026 Leagues Cup and three MLS regular season matches for his actions during the final. He issued an apology on 4 September.[297] A month later, on 12 October, he scored his 600th career goal in a 4–0 victory overAtlanta United.[298]
Suárez was invited to play forUruguay in the qualifying rounds for the2007 U-20 World Cup, but his club, Groningen, did not release him to play. He did play in the tournament finals, and he scored two goals in four appearances.[299] His goals came in a group stage draw againstSpain[300] and in theRound of 16 against theUnited States, but the U.S. won 2–1 and Uruguay was eliminated from the tournament.[301]
During theround of 16 againstSouth Korea, Suárez scored both goals in a 2–1 win. His second broke a tie in the 80th minute when he dribbled around a defender and curled a "spectacular shot"[307] in off the far post; Suárez was again named Man of the Match.[307] This win put Uruguay through to the quarter-finals for the first time since1970.[308] In thequarter-final againstGhana, the score was 1–1 at the end of regulation and the match went intoextra time. Late in extra time, Ghana sent afree-kick into the box, and Suárez blockedStephen Appiah's shot on the goal line.[309] He then blockedDominic Adiyiah's goal bound header with his hands,[310] committing aprofessional foul[56] to save what would have been the game winner[311] and was sent off.Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar with the ensuingpenalty kick[309] and Suárez, who had stopped to watch, celebrated the miss before heading down the tunnel.[312][313] Uruguay won theshootout 4–2 and advanced to the semi-finals.[309][314]
After the match, Suárez said, "I made the save of the tournament."[311] He said he had no alternative, was acting out of instinct, and would do it again if it helped his team win.[315] Ghana head coachMilovan Rajevac said the play was an "injustice"[312] and Suárez was labelled a villain and a cheater.[316][315] Others viewed him as a hero.[56][317] Due to the automatic suspension that accompanies a red card, Suárez sacrificed himself in the semi-final for the unlikely chance the penalty would be missed, and his team would later win.[28][316]
While Suárez was suspended for thesemi-final match for his red card against Ghana,[318] Uruguay "lacked a second striker [alongsideDiego Forlán] of cunning and movement"[319] and lost 3–2 to theNetherlands.[320][321] Suárez returned for thethird place game againstGermany; he was booed almost every time he had the ball because of his handball in the Ghana match.[322] He assisted Cavani on Uruguay's first goal,[323] but Uruguay lost 3–2.[322] During the tournament, Suárez played 543 minutes in six appearances and scored three goals.[324]
In the2011 Copa América, Suárez scored in Uruguay's opening game, a 1–1 draw withPeru.[325] In their next game, he provided the assist for Alvaro Pereira's goal in a 1–1 draw withChile.[326] Uruguay finished second in their group and advanced to the knockout round[327] with a win, 1–0 against Mexico, and two draws, against Peru and Chile.[328] In the quarter-finals, Uruguay drew with tournament hostsArgentina 1–1 after regulation and extra time. Uruguay won the shootout 5–4 and Suárez converted his penalty.[329][330] Suárez scored both goals in Uruguay's 2–0 semi-final win over Peru and was named Man of the Match.[331] Inthe final, Suárez scored the opening goal and set up Diego Forlan's second goal as Uruguay defeatedParaguay 3–0 for their record 15th Copa América title.[332][333] Suárez scored four goals and provided two assists during the tournament and was named MVP of the Tournament.[332][43][334]
On 9 July 2012, Suárez was selected for theUruguay Olympic football team alongside Liverpool teammateSebastián Coates to compete in the2012 Olympic Games.[335] In the first pre-tournament warm-up game against Chile on 11 July, Suárez scored a hat-trick for Uruguay as they came from 0–2 down to win 6–4 in a thrilling match.[336]
As one of Uruguay's three overage players, Suárez was named as captain for the Olympic Games.[337] After an opening win over theUnited Arab Emirates, Uruguay were defeated bySenegal andGreat Britain and eliminated at the first round. Suárez failed to score during the tournament.
Suárez was selected in the Uruguay squad to play in Brazil at the2013 Confederations Cup. He scored a curling free-kick from 30 yards (27 m) in a 2–1 defeat toSpain in their opening match atRecife on 16 June.[338] He then scored twice after appearing as a substitute in Uruguay's 8–0 win overTahiti, making him the Uruguay national team's all-timetop-goalscorer with 35 goals, surpassing his teammate Diego Forlán.[339] Uruguay were eventually eliminated in the semi-finals, losing 2–1 toBrazil inBelo Horizonte.[340]
On 22 May, Suárez underwent emergency surgery on his left knee. He was confined to a wheelchair for a time, leading to rumours he would be unable to participate in the World Cup.[343][344][345] He was named as a substitute for Uruguay's first match, a 3–1 defeat toCosta Rica, but did not play in the match. Suárez started Uruguay's second match againstEngland and scored both of the team's goals in a 2–1 win at theArena Corinthians inSão Paulo.[346]
For Uruguay's final group match againstItaly on 24 June, Uruguay needed a win to advance to theknockout stage while Italy only needed a draw.[347] Around the 79th minute and with the score at 0–0, Suárez clashed with Italian defenderGiorgio Chiellini while waiting for a cross. Replays showed that Suárez lunged at Chiellini and bit his shoulder (Chiellini showed bite marks), followed by Suárez falling and clutching his face.[16][348] The controversial incident made headline news around the world.[349] As the Italian players protested to Mexican refereeMarco Antonio Rodríguez for not penalizing Suárez for the bite, Uruguay won a corner and scored. The match would finish 1–0 to Uruguay as they qualified for the knockout stage and eliminated Italy, who finished third in the group.[16][348][350]
Two days later, on 26 June, theFIFA Disciplinary Committee, banned Suárez for nine international matches, effective immediately, meaning he would take no further part in the World Cup. The ban ruled him out of2015 Copa América as well. It was the longest such ban in World Cup history, exceeding the eight-match ban handed to Italy'sMauro Tassotti for breaking the nose of Spain's Luis Enrique at the1994 World Cup.[142][351] He was also banned from taking part in any football-related activity (including entering any stadium) for four months and finedCHF100,000.[142][351] The seven-member FIFA panel studied the incident from 34 camera angles and rejected Suárez's defense that the bite was as a result of an accidental collision, instead finding the bite was "deliberate, intentional and without provocation... with the intention of wounding [Chiellini] or at least of destabilizing him". The severity of the penalty was due to the fact it was Suárez's third biting offence, as well as what FIFA saw as a lack of remorse.[352] Soon after the suspension was announced, online gambling firm888poker cancelled its sponsorship deal with Suárez.[353] With Suárez banned, Uruguay lost their next match 0–2 to Colombia and were eliminated from the World Cup.[354]
On the same day the ban was announced, theUruguayan Football Association (AUF) said it would appeal the suspension.[355] Suárez's lawyer said that "we don't have any doubts" of a European-based campaign against Suárez.[356] Various Uruguayan individuals defended Suárez, questioning if he had actually bitten Chiellini, and criticized the severity of his ban, includingPresident of UruguayJosé Mujica, who labelled the ban "fascist" and called FIFA "a bunch of old sons of bitches";[357][358] AUF president Wilmar Valdez;[355] Uruguay captainDiego Lugano;[359] and Uruguay head coach Óscar Tabárez, who resigned from two FIFA posts in protest of the ban.[360] The Uruguayan media were also noted to have been in a defiant and defensive mood.[361] For non-Uruguayan parties, Chiellini, who was bitten, called the ban "excessive", while international players' unionFIFPro called for Suárez to "receive all the support he needs" and that the "focus should be on the rehabilitation and serious treatment" of Suárez.[360]
Six days after the incident, on 30 June, Suárez apologized to Chiellini through Twitter and vowed never to repeat the incident, while writing that the "physical result of a bite" occurred in a collision with Chiellini.[362][363] Chiellini responded through Twitter indicating all was forgotten and his hope that FIFA would reduce Suárez's suspension.[363][364]
On 3 July, the AUF appealed Suárez's ban,[365] but it was rejected by FIFA on 10 July.[366][367] With Suárez's ban not preventing him fromtransferring to another club,[368] it was announced on 11 July that Suárez had agreed to move to Barcelona.[369][370][371] Days before the transfer, Suárez's apology to Chiellini had been praised by various Barcelona club individuals. Barcelona club presidentJosep Maria Bartomeu said the apology was "honorable", sporting directorAndoni Zubizarreta welcomed Suárez as being "humble enough to admit an error" while new signingIvan Rakitić commended Suárez's "character and strength".[372][373]
Suárez playing againstPortugal in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup
On 25 March 2016, after over a year of international absence for Uruguay, Suárez scored an equalizer against Brazil inRecife for a 2–2 draw in thequalification process for the2018 FIFA World Cup.[374] Suárez was included in Uruguay's 23-man squad for theCopa América Centenario, although a hamstring injury sustained in the Copa del Rey final on 22 May put his place in the team in jeopardy.[177][176] Although he remained in the squad, he missed both of his national side's opening group losses to Mexico andVenezuela, which resulted in a first-round elimination from the tournament.[375] He was once again left on the substitutes' bench in Uruguay's final 3–0 group win overJamaica on 13 June.[376]
Suárez scored twice on 10 October 2017 as Uruguay won 4–2 at home toBolivia in their final World Cup qualifying match, thus securing their place for the tournament in Russia, as well as becoming the joint all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with 21 goals, alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi, overtaking the previous record which was held byHernán Crespo.[377][378] In March, Uruguay won the2018 China Cup, and Suárez scored his50th international goal with a penalty against theCzech Republic in the semi-finals, winning it himself when fouled by goalkeeperJiří Pavlenka.[379] He won his100th cap on 20 June 2018 in Uruguay's second group match at the World Cup, scoring the only goal againstSaudi Arabia at theRostov Arena inRostov-on-Don to advance the nation into the last 16, for which Suárez was given man of the match.[380] In the final group game on 25 June, Suárez was again named the man of the match as he scored Uruguay's opener with a free kick into the bottom corner in a 3–0 win over hostsRussia.[381] In the Round of 16 match againstPortugal on 30 June, he set-up Cavani's opening goal in an eventual 2–1 victory.[382] Uruguay were eliminated from the tournament following a 2–0 defeat to France in the quarter-finals on 6 July.[383]
In March 2019, manager Tabárez included Suárez in the final 23-man Uruguay squad for the2019 Copa América in Brazil.[384] On 16 June, he scored the third goal in a 4–0 win overEcuador in the team's opening group match of the tournament, also setting up the opener scored byNicolás Lodeiro.[385]
In the quarter-finals against Peru on 29 June, he had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside, and was subsequently the only player to miss his spot-kick in the resulting penalty shoot-out, following a 0–0 draw after regulation time, which saw Uruguay eliminated from the competition.[386]
On 8 October 2020, Suárez scored the first goal of the South American2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, becoming the first player ever to score the opening goal three times (after his 2010 and 2014 strikes) in the competition's history.[387]
On 22 June 2021, Suárez scored in a 1–1 draw against Chile in Uruguay's second group match of the2021 Copa América in Brazil.[388] However, Uruguay lost against Colombia in the quarter-finals on penalties after a goalless draw.[389]
On 2 December 2022, in Uruguay's final group match of the2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar against Ghana, Suárez assistedGiorgian de Arrascaeta's second goal of the match to give Uruguay a 2–0 win; however, group rivals South Korea scored a late goal to win 2–1 against already-qualified Portugal, advancing from the group stage instead of Uruguay having scored four goals to Uruguay's two (both teams were tied at 4 points and a 0goal difference).[390]
On 13 July 2024, Suárez scored a last minute equalizer in the2024 Copa América third place play-off match againstCanada, after coming off the bench, and also scored his effort in the subsequent penalty shootout, clinching the bronze medal for Uruguay.[391]
On 2 September 2024, Suárez announced that he would retire from the national team after the match against Paraguay for the2026 World Cup qualifiers on 6 September,[392][393] ending his 17-year era of representing his national team after a 0–0 draw. He also received a yellow card for his protests to the referee late in the match.[394]
Suárez creates goal scoring chances with his powerful shot, and has "remarkable technical ability" according to hisFIFA profile.[395] Known for his direct running at players, Suárez has a particular penchant fornutmegging opponents (putting the ball through their legs).[396] Liverpool fans (accompanied with a banner) used to say he was so good, "he could nutmeg a mermaid".[397] Considered at his peak to be one of the best strikers in the world,[398][399][400][401][402][403][404] Suárez is a prolific goalscorer, having the rare distinction of being the leading scorer in three top-flight European leagues, a feat only matched byRuud van Nistelrooy[405] and Cristiano Ronaldo.[406] An accurate finisher[407] with either foot,[408] despite being naturally right-footed,[409] he is capable of scoring from both inside[410] and outside the penalty area.[411]
Harry Redknapp said that Suárez could play anywhere – as thetarget man or behind as asecond striker. Uruguay head coach Óscar Tabárez called Suárez "a greatforward, an elite player among forwards in the world",[412] and Liverpool coach Kenny Dalglish said, "he's intelligent, he's had a fantastic education at Ajax".[413] Former Liverpool strikerJohn Aldridge said his abilities allow him to get into a position to score and evade defenders.[414][415] Meanwhile, Thierry Henry called Suárez the best striker in the world, stating, "He has everything. He's in your face, he's arrogant- in a good way, he can volley it, he can score headers. He has vicious side to his game and I will not call it cheating. He knows how to score goals."[416]
Suárez has been praised for hiswork rate,[414] movement,[417] and his quickness[413] that allows him to attack from the outside;[395] as such he occasionally played as an invertedwinger on the left flank during his time with Ajax.[418] Additionally, Suárez has a liking for often executingdummies (going around the defenders with a fake-out) within his style ofdribbling.[419] During his time in Barcelona, he was known for constantly scoring throughvolleys or half-volleys.[420][421] Suárez also gained a reputation for consistently scoring acrobatic goals, often shooting off balance, or in air, or with overheadbicycle kicks.[422][423][424] Moreover, he is an accuratefree kick taker,[425] and has also been known to take penalties.[426]
He also creates many scoring opportunities for his teammates with his vision and great passing abilities, as is reflected in his numbers ofassists, among the very highest within the stat's recorded history.[427] Former Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, lauded Suárez's unselfish playstyle within his autobiography, stating how that "It's a rare combination, to be a miraculous footballer who is willing to use his gifts to selflessly assist and create goals for a teammate", as well as further writing, "He scores goals. He creates goals. He's hard and horrible to play against. You've got a chance of beating anyone in the world with Luis Suárez in your team".[428][429]
In addition to being a prolific player, Suárez has often been praised for his strong mentality and desire to win. Former Liverpool teammate,Jordan Henderson dubbed Suárez as a "warrior", claiming that his attitude inspired confidence among his teammates.[430] Meanwhile, Gerrard eulogized his drive to succeed, stating "Luis played to win a five-a-side training session like he was chasing the Champions League or the World Cup. If his team lost a kickaround he went home angry; he always needed to win that badly".[429] Atletico Madrid coach,Diego Simeone hailed Suárez for the "desire and energy" he brought to the club.[431] Suárez, himself, has stated that he's the kind of player who would "kill himself just to prevent a throw-in at the 90th minute." in his autobiography.[432]
Former Ajax coachMarco van Basten criticized Suárez for his tendency to receive yellow cards.[36] Van Basten said he had a tense relationship with Suárez,[36] although he conceded that "Luis is unpredictable, he's hard to influence but that makes him special."[36] At times, Suárez can be dominant but fail to convert his efforts into goals.[433] Despite his weaknesses, Suárez's leadership stood out to Ajax management.[60]
Suárez has been widely accused ofdiving.[18][434][435][436] His manager, teammates and various analysts have commented that this reputation for simulation has caused referees not to award him legitimate penalties.[437][438] In January 2013, Suárez admitted to diving against Stoke City in an October 2012 match. This led his manager Brendan Rodgers to comment his actions were "unacceptable" and that he would be dealt with "internally" by the club.[439] During the 2018 World Cup game against Portugal, after collisions with Portuguese players, Suárez twice acted like he had a head injury despite his head having been untouched.[440]
During the2010 FIFA World Cup, in thequarter-final againstGhana, duringextra time, Ghana'sStephen Appiah's shot was heading to what could have been a goal.[309] Suárez then blockedDominic Adiyiah's goal bound header with his hands. He was sent off for a handball. That led to controversies in which Ghana could have proceeded to the semi-finals of the tournament, had the subsequent penalty been converted.[310]
Suárez is infamous for biting opponents on multiple occasions. In a Group D matchup at the2014 FIFA World Cup, Suárez was shown to have bitten Italian defenderGiorgio Chiellini, resulting in FIFA suspending Suárez from all football activities for 4 months. While playing for Liverpool, Suarez bit Chelsea playerBranislav Ivanović in a Premier League match, and was punished with a ten match ban. In an earlier incident while playing forAFC Ajax he was caught bitingPSV Eindhoven playerOtman Bakkal and was suspended for seven games.[99] Suárez has also been accused ofstamping on opponents in the Premier League and the UEFA Europa League.[441][442][443][444]
Due to his diving, biting, stamping, and other antics, Suárez has been frequently labelled as apest and a cheat.[445] In December 2013, Spanish football websiteEl Gol Digital ranked Suárez at fifth in its list of the world's dirtiest footballers.[446]
After Inter Miami's 3–0 loss to theSeattle Sounders in the2025 Leagues Cup final, Suárez was seen stomping on the foot of, and spitting in the face of, Sounders security director Gene Ramirez, which was widely condemned.[447][448][449] Suárez was fined by the Leagues Cup Organizing Committee and handed a six game suspension from the competition for the incident, and was additionally given a three match suspension byMajor League Soccer.[450][451]
Previously with Adidas, Suárez has been sponsored byPuma since 2018. He wears Puma Future 2.1.
Suárez had a sponsorship deal with German sportswear and equipment supplierAdidas, before switching to rivalsPuma in 2018.[452] Suárez starred in a 2014 advert forBeats with other global football stars including Neymar andThierry Henry, with the theme of "The Game Before the Game" and the players' pre-game ritual of listening to music.[453] In Uruguay, Suárez has also appeared in advertisements for Abitab,Antel,Cablevisión,Garnier,Pepsi andSamsung.[454][455]
Suárez features inEA Sports'FIFA video game series: as a result of Suárez's ban for his bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, players inFIFA 15 were unable to select Suárez until his ban ended on 26 October.[456]
In March 2025, Suárez and teammateLionel Messi started a new football club project,Deportivo LSM.[459] The new team will focus on football training.[460]
Suárez was born in Salto, Uruguay to Sandra Diaz and Rodolfo Suárez, the fourth of seven boys.[28][461] His older brother,Paolo Suárez, is a Uruguayan-Salvadoran retired professional footballer, who last played forIsidro Metapán inEl Salvador.
Suárez moved with his family toMontevideo when he was seven, and his parents separated when he was nine.[461] In Montevideo, he developed his football skills on the streets,[26][461] while also taking up work as a street sweeper at the age of 15.[25] In 1998, aged 11 he appeared as a contestant on children's game showAventujuegos, with his team winning: his episode was brought up in a 2011 episode of chat showNoche de Locura and he was surprised the footage had been kept.[6]
The contrast between his life in Europe and the poverty he left behind has been cited as contributing to his periodic aggression on the field, as well as being a possible explanation for the more forgiving attitudes of the Uruguayan public and press towards such cases, compared to Europe.[25] Besides his native tongue, Suárez is able to speakDutch and English.[462][463]
Mural of Suárez on his former school in Montevideo, Uruguay
Suárez is ofmixed race and has a black grandfather.[464] The matter of ethnicity was raised in reporting on thePatrice Evra incident, where use by his grandmother, Lila Piriz, of "mi negrito" as a sobriquet has been offered to explain Suárez's repeated use of "negro" over the two-minute altercation; the FA judged his evidence unreliable, issuing him an eight-match ban. His mother also supported the claim Suárez made that using the word was not racist in Uruguay. She said it was "normal", and that it was "a word people use with their friends. It's like calling someone fat, thin or whatever."[465]
Suárez began dating Sofía Balbi at age 15 in Montevideo; the Balbi family moved toBarcelona in 2003, and Suárez's focus on football strengthened as a result as he wanted to follow them to Europe to join Sofía again.[25] Suárez married her in 2009, and the couple have a daughter (born 2010) and two sons (born 2013 and 2019).[466][28][467] He has a tattoo of his daughter's name Delfina on his wrist which he kisses as part of hisgoal celebration – this celebration routine is featured in EA Sports' video gameFIFA 15 as "Kiss The Wrist".[468][469] In 2014, Suárez joined Barcelona, allowing him to live closer to Sofía's family. On the move, Suárez said, "[Liverpool] did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife's family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right."[470] In 2014, Suárez released his autobiography,Crossing the Line – My Story.[471][472]
Suárez, who is married to an Italian citizen, was eligible to take aB1 Italian Language exam and flew toPerugia in September 2020 to take the test and gain Italian citizenship. Though obtaining the results of the language exam and approval of citizenship takes several months and several years respectively to be processed, Suárez reportedly got his language exam results within hours and would have his citizenship approved in several weeks. The Italian media had noted that this led to accusations of special treatment against Suárez, especially as Italian laws had been changed in 2018 to make obtaining citizenship by marriage more difficult.[473] In September 2020, an investigation was launched over accusations that he had cheated his way into gaining Italian citizenship.[231]
It is known that Suárez has used his experience and knowledge to mentor new Uruguayan footballing talents, most notablyDarwin Núñez.[474]
^"Suarez: 'Moeilijk moment'" (in Dutch). AFC Ajax Official Youtube. 20 February 2011.Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved5 August 2020.
1 AsHors concours 2Placar started to give this prize to the best grade holder atBola de Prata since 1973. In its 2013 ceremonies, a Bola de Ouro was given to Dirceu Lopes, holder of the best 1971 grade.Francisco Reyes andElías Figueroa, holders of 1970 and 1972 ones respectively, have not been announced as these years' winners yet.
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