Luis Suárez (footballer, born 1935)

Luis Suárez Miramontes (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlwis ˈswaɾeθ miɾaˈmontes]; 2 May 1935 – 9 July 2023^[1]) was a Spanish professional footballer and manager. He played as a midfielder for Deportivo de La Coruña, España Industrial, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Sampdoria; he also represented the Spain national team between 1957 and 1972. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Spanish football players of all time,^[2][3] Suárez was noted for his elegant and fluid style of play and also regarded to be one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the sport.^[2][4][5][6]

Nicknamed El Arquitecto^[1][7] – The Architect – or Luisito,^[8][9] in 1960 Suárez became the first Spanish-born player to win the Ballon d'Or.^{[3][10][nb 1]} In 1964, he helped Spain win their first European Championship title.^[11] Suárez originally achieved prominence as a creative inside forward, or attacking midfielder in modern terms, during his spell at Barcelona in the 1950s,^[9][12] before reaching his prime as a deep-lying playmaker at Inter Milan, where he played a pivotal role in the success of Helenio Herrera's side, and was one of the primary creative forces in the squad, thanks to his skill on the ball, vision, and passing range.^[9][12] He retired as a player in 1973, after three seasons at Sampdoria.^[11]

Suárez subsequently began a career as a coach and managed Inter Milan on three separate occasions, the latter two of which on a caretaker basis.^[9] He was also at the helm of both the Spain under-21 national team, which he led to a European Under-21 Championship title in 1986,^[10][13] and the Spanish senior national team, which he led to the round of 16 of the 1990 World Cup.^[3][9] He died in Milan on 9 July 2023, aged 88.^[1][9]

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