Luis Suárez Miramontes, the so-called “Golden Galician” who is the only Spanish man to win soccer’s most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or, has died, according to former club Inter Milan. He was 88.
Inter did not indicate the cause of Suárez’s death when announcing his passing on Sunday.
Although born in the northwest Spanish region of Galicia, the midfielder won the bulk of his trophies in Italy with Inter, including the European Cup in 1964 and 1965 and three Italian league titles. Suárez moved to Inter from Barcelona after winning two Spanish league titles.
“Sadly his greatest and most successful period came when he was no longer a Barca player,” Barcelona’s website noted.
Suárez won the Ballon d’Or in 1960 and was runner-up in 1961 and 1964. He played on Spain’s team that won the 1964 European Championship, its first major title.
After retiring in 1973, Suárez had three spells coaching Inter. He also managed Spain’s national side from 1988-91.
Suárez downplayed his Ballon d’Or, a trophy that eluded subsequent Spanish superstars including Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Raul Gonzalez.
“So much depends on the era you find yourself living in,” Suárez told FIFA’s website. “You need the slice of luck that comes when another great player of your time doesn’t perform quite so well. There have been truly great players who have never won that award. It’s not that big a deal.”
Real Madrid forward Alfredo di Stefano, who won the award in 1957 and 1959, was born in Argentina.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has said Seyi Tinubu, son…
IPOB PRESS RELEASE 22/11/2024 SIMON EKPA IS NOT AN IPOB MEMBER AND MUST NOT BE…
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2024. *PUNCH* Gombe begins N28bn Assembly, high court complexes…
Former bread seller turned model, Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has opened up…
Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has denies reports that he was involved in a fight…
– says lawmakers united to meet yearnings of Lagosians – accuses detractors of peddling news…