Luis Suárez (born 24 January 1987) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club Barcelona and the Uruguay national team. Often regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, Suárez has won 18 trophies in his career, including six league titles, a UEFA Champions League title and a Copa América title. A prolific goalscorer, Suárez has won two European Golden Shoes, an Eredivisie Golden Boot, a Premier League Golden Boot and he is the record holder for most goals in a single UEFA Champions League season, having scored 10 goals in the 2014-15 campaign. He has also been named to numerous prestigious lists like the FIFA FIFPro World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year.

Suárez began his career as a youth player for Nacional in 2003. In 2006, he transferred to Dutch club Groningen, before moving to Ajax two years later for €7.5 million (£6.7 million). He won his first trophy in 2010, the KNVB Cup, finishing the season as Ajax’s top scorer with 49 goals in all competitions. The following year, he helped lead them to their first league title in seven years and was also named Dutch Footballer of the Year. After another prolific season at Ajax in 2011-12, scoring 37 goals in 33 games, Suárez joined Liverpool for £22.8 million (£35 million), a then-record transfer fee for a player leaving the Eredivisie.

At Liverpool, Suárez established himself as one of the best strikers in world football, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year during his first season. He helped lead Liverpool to a runner-up finish in the Premier League in 2013-14, scoring 31 goals while equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in a 38-game league season. After another prolific campaign in 2014-15, he was sold to Barcelona for £64.98 million (£75 million), making him the third most expensive footballer ever at that time. At Barcelona, Suárez has won four La Liga titles, four Copas del Rey and one Champions League, among other trophies. He has also scored over 200 goals for the club, making him their third-highest all-time goalscorer.

A full international since 2007, Suárez has earned 116 caps for Uruguay and represented them at three FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018), two Copa Américas (2011 and 2015) and the Olympics (2012). He has been named Uruguayan Footballer of the Year six times. He was the joint top scorer at the 2010 World Cup with five goals as Uruguay reached the semi-finals of the tournament before losing to Netherlands in a controversial game which saw Suárez receive a red card for handball on the line which denied Ghana a goal in extra time. Four years later at the 2014 World Cup, he was Uruguay’s captain and scored twice as they reached the round of 16 before losing to Colombia. At the 2018 World Cup, Suárez scored once as Uruguay were eliminated in the quarter-finals by France.

A controversial figure within the game due to past incidents involving racism and biting, Suárez has been praised for his work ethic and goalscoring record, but also criticised for his on-field antics. In 2019, he was ranked as the third-best footballer in the world by The Guardian.

Luis Suárez Early life

Suárez was born on 24 January 1987 in Salto, Uruguay. His father, Rodolfo (1954-2011), was a porter and his mother, Sandra Diaz (1960-2012), a housewife. He has two older brothers, Paolo and Gustavo, and a younger sister, Sofia. When Suarez was seven years old, his family moved to Montevideo in search of a better life. His father took up work as a security guard at the local cemetery while his mother worked long hours at a local market.

As a child, Suárez played street football with his friends and idolised Brazilian striker Ronaldo. When he was 12 years old, he was invited to train with the youth team of Nacional, one of Uruguay’s biggest clubs. After impressing the coaches, he was signed to the club’s academy.

Career

Nacional (2003-2006)

Suárez made his professional debut for Nacional in May 2005, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-0 win against Cerro Largo. He scored his first professional goal in September of that year, netting the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Danubio.

In 2006, Suárez helped Nacional win the Uruguayan Primera División title, scoring 10 goals in 27 appearances. He was also named the Uruguayan Footballer of the Year, becoming the youngest player to ever receive the award.

Groningen (2006-2007)

In July 2006, Suárez was signed by Dutch club Groningen for €1 million. He made his debut for the club in August, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-1 win against Heracles Almelo.

Suárez quickly became a regular starter for Groningen and was one of the most prolific strikers in the Eredivisie, scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances. His performances attracted the attention of several bigger clubs and he was linked with a move to Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord Rotterdam.

Ajax (2007-2011)

In January 2007, Ajax signed Suárez from Groningen for €8 million. He made his debut for the club in February, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-1 win against Heerenveen.

Suárez scored his first goal for Ajax in March, netting the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with FC Utrecht. He went on to score 18 goals in 33 appearances in his first season with the club, helping Ajax win the Eredivisie title.

In 2008-09, Suárez was once again one of the most prolific strikers in the Netherlands, scoring 35 goals in 33 appearances. He was named Dutch Footballer of the Year and helped Ajax retain their Eredivisie title.

The following season, Suárez scored 49 goals in all competitions as Ajax won a league and cup double. He was once again named Dutch Footballer of the Year and was also named the Eredivisie Player of the Year.

In 2010-11, Suárez scored 35 goals in 33 appearances as Ajax won their 32nd Eredivisie title. He was once again named Dutch Footballer of the Year and was also named the Eredivisie Player of the Year for a second time.

Liverpool (2011-2014)

In January 2011, Liverpool signed Suárez from Ajax for €26.5 million. He made his debut for the club in February, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-0 win against Stoke City.

Suárez scored his first goal for Liverpool in March, netting the opener in a 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion. He went on to score 18 goals in 35 appearances in his first season with the club.

In 2012-13, Suárez was one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League, scoring 23 goals in 33 appearances. His performances attracted the attention of several bigger clubs and he was linked with a move to Real Madrid or Chelsea.

The following season, Suárez scored 31 goals in 33 appearances as Liverpool finished second in the Premier League. He was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.

In 2014-15, Suárez scored 24 goals in 33 appearances as Liverpool won the Premier League title. He was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year for a second time.

FC Barcelona (2014-present)

In July 2014, FC Barcelona signed Suárez from Liverpool for €94 million. He made his debut for the club in August, coming on as a late substitute in a 3-0 win against Levante.

Suárez scored his first goal for Barcelona in September, netting the opener in a 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao. He went on to score 21 goals in 34 appearances in his first season with the club, helping Barcelona win the La Liga title.

In 2015-16, Suárez was once again one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, scoring 59 goals in 53 appearances. He was named La Liga Player of the Year and helped Barcelona win the La Liga and Champions League titles.

The following season, Suárez scored 37 goals in 54 appearances as Barcelona won a league and cup double. He was once again named La Liga Player of the Year and was also named the Champions League Player of the Year.

In 2017-18, Suárez scored 29 goals in 33 appearances as Barcelona won their 25th La Liga title. He was also named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.

The 2018-19 season saw Suárez score 21 goals in 32 appearances as Barcelona won another La Liga and Champions League double. He was also named the Champions League Player of the Year for a second time.

To date, Suárez has scored 198 goals in 283 appearances for Barcelona, making him the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. He has won 14 trophies with the club, including six La Liga titles and three Champions League titles.

At international level, Suárez has represented Uruguay at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, as well as the 2011, 2013 and 2017 Copa Américas. He is his country’s all-time leading goalscorer with 57 goals in 119 appearances.

In 2010, Suárez was named Uruguay’s Footballer of the Year. In 2013, he was named South American Footballer of the Year and in 2014, he was named FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner.

personal life

Suárez married his long-time girlfriend Sofia Balbi in 2009. The couple have two children together: a son named Delfín and a daughter named Luana.

In 2016, Suárez published his autobiography Crossing the Line: My Story. The book detailed his early life and career, as well as his time at Liverpool and Barcelona.

In 2019, Suárez opened a soccer school in his hometown of Salto. The school is called Luis Suárez Soccer Academy and is open to children aged 6-18.

Suárez is a devout Catholic and has spoken about his faith on several occasions. In 2017, he donated $45,000 to a church in Barcelona that was damaged by an earthquake.

In 2019, Suárez was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit by the King of Spain. The award is given to athletes who have made significant contributions to Spanish sport.

Suárez has also been involved in a number of charitable initiatives. In 2013, he founded the Luis Suárez Foundation, which supports children with cancer. In 2016, he donated $15,000 to a school in Uruguay that was damaged by a fire. And in 2018, he donated $10,000 to a hospital in Barcelona that treats patients with rare diseases.

(Born January 24, 1987) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Uruguayan national team.

Suárez began his career with Uruguayan club Nacional in 2005. He moved to Dutch club Groningen in 2006, before joining Ajax two years later. During his time at Ajax, Suárez won two Eredivisie titles and was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2010.

In January 2011, Suárez transferred from Ajax to Liverpool for £22.8 million. He quickly established himself as one of the best strikers in the Premier League, winning the League Cup in 2012 and being named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Liverpool’s Player of the Season in 2013-14.

In July 2014, Suárez transferred from Liverpool to Barcelona for £75 million. He has since won four La Liga titles and four Copas del Rey with the club. He has also been named La Liga Player of the Year twice and was named the UEFA Champions League Player of the Year in 2015-16.

To date, Suárez has scored 404 goals in 614 appearances at club level, as well as 62 goals in 119 appearances for the Uruguayan national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football and has won a number of individual awards, including being named South American Footballer of the Year, UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner and three-time PFA Players’ Player of the Year.