The Luis Suarez Story

The Luis Suarez Story

The Man regarded as One of the Brightest Talent in the World of Football. He wears the number 7 Jersey of Liverpool which is the sacred number of the club. the Jersey which is previously worn by the Kop Legend, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish who has successfully bring joy and trophy to this football club. But since them, there are no longer man who can fulfill the responsibility and the number seven is considered "heavy" to be worn by other Liverpool Player, named Clough, Smicer, Kewell, Keane; they are all failed to bear it. 

That Record doesn't make Luis Suarez afraid to take the number 7, in fact he has proved that he was the man who can bring the success to this "long wait glory" football club. For some people, they must be wondering who is this man really?

His Name is Luis Alberto Suarez Diaz, born in Salto, Uruguay in 24 January 1987. he has six brothers and sisters and grew up with his parents, Rodolfo and Sandra.  at the age of six, Suarez and his family moved to Montevideo because of his father work reason. But it doesn't made Suarez leave his hobby which is to play football with his best friend, Leonardo Illich. they play with set of stone as a goal and paper as the ball. 

"He is always been a funny guy and he's always loves his music, I see him as still my boyhood friend, and for me he is just a friend, people always ask me what is Luis like, he is just a down to earth guy who loves his friend and family, he values them a lot" said Leonardo Illich

At the age of fourteen, Luis join Nacional, one of Uruguay biggest club. He was regarded as one of the brightest talent and their Technical Director, Daniel Enriquez believe Luis can be a Star player in the future.

However from the very young age, Suarez is not far from controversy, at one youth match, he headbutted the referee and punished heavily. 

His rage is sometimes is out of control until he met 13 years old Sofia Balbi, a girl who managed to "control" Luis Suarez inside and outside the pitch, She was the one who can really understand Luis. as a result, he managed to kept the Coach believed in him by Scoring 17 goal in one youth match. 

"at 15 I found a girlfriend who and that sorted my head out, she help me to realize how much football is important to me" Luis Suarez on Sofia Balbi

Sofia always appear in every match that Luis played. and Luis used to pick up coins in the field and street just to buy her a nice thing to eat. Not so long after that, Sofia must leaved Luis because she must join her family moved to Barcelona in 2003, and it was a big blow for Luis to lose someone so important in his life. Luis stopped play football for a moment until he realized that the only way to be with Sofia is for Luis to moved to Europe through football. He become dedicated again to the beautiful sport that he loved so much and at the age of 18, he made his first team debut with Nacional, All of sudden football become something so important in his life, there was a moment when Nacional won the match but Suarez was founded out cried in the shower because he didn't manage to score a single goal. The commitment to football has made Luis managed to score 10 goals in 27 games and helped Nacional to win the championshop.

His talent is suddenly recognized by Dutch side scout from FC Groningren. in 2006, they paid their transfer record of 800,000 euros to sign him. Suarez was thrilled to moved to Holland, because he can get closer to Sofia as well as gaining more success in Europe. 

Suarez was 19 years old when he played he first match with Groningren. Even though he managed to score 10 goals in his 29 match, he started his career with some sort of difficulty because he doesn't understand Dutch or English. he need times to adapt, but soon after he break the puzzle, he managed to play amazingly week in and week out, the fee has managed to paid off. However, it is not always nice for Luis Suarez, he is so impatient and had a few problems with the referee, in a five game in a row, he get punished with to three yellow cards and one red cards. Not just with the referee, he sometimes got angry with his teammates, he refuse to shake hands and go straight through the tunnel after the match, his Coach, Rob Jans gave him so advice that he must behave and changed if he want to became a good footballer.

However, again it is an influence by Sofia who decided to live with Luis after he talked to her parents and managed to convince her parents that he was serious and for real to her; managed to straight things up for Luis. She was a real influence for Luis, perhaps she was the only one who can do that to Luis which is the reason why Luis is so desperate for her. Sofia Balbi is the only one for Luis Suarez.

Dutch Giants, Ajax Amsterdam saw Luis Suarez talent after just one season in Netherlands, they first bid of 3.5 million euros is rejected by Groningren. until they improved their bid to 7.5 million euros and Luis handed in transfer request. the bid was then accepted and in 2007, Luis Suarez has become the new Ajax Amsterdam #16 player.

In his first Season with Ajax (2007-2008) he managed to score 22 goals in 44 appearances. His Partnership with Klaas Jan Huntelaar are blooming. Ajax finished second during that season campaign.

In his Second Season, Ajax Coach, Marco Van Basten gave a new rule for Luis on the pitch, he was deployed as Winger Striker in which is the position where Luis managed to gave him more space on the pitch, and also more freedom to bloom. As a result, Luis score 28 goals and 43 appearances during the season, but Ajax only managed to finished third during the season and Luis is handed the second Top Scorer in Dutch Leauge with 22 goals. However, That Season is only a stepping-stone for Luis, it is a mark for something more from Luis.

In 2009, Luis Suarez married to his one and only love, Sofia Balbi, in Montevideo, Uruguay, a placed where Luis spend his childhood, as well as meet Sofia. the wedding is attended by both of their family, it was a big party where he invited also his former and current coach and teammates in Nacional, Groningren, and Ajax.

"On the menu on the table it started with dinner, then dancing and went on to breakfast, I couldn't believe it, Sofia is so important to him. She is probably the one who can tell him to calm down sometimes" Herman Pinkster, Ajax team Manager

The Next Season (2009-2010), Luis Suarez has flourished into one of most threatening striker in Europe. Martin Jol, who replaced Marco Van Basten as Ajax gave a new rule for Luis; to become the Captain of this football club.

The High Expectation and Responsibility didn't make him back down, instead, it became his source of motivation to gave the best for Ajax and eventually he managed to finished that season with incredible 49 goals in 48 appearances for the club. He became Ajax Footballer of the year for the second time and also named as Dutch Footballer of the year. His Achievement began to attract some of Europe Big Club like Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and etc.

His Impressive performance with the club also followed to the National side, in the World Cup 2010, Suarez is Uruguay main striker along with Diego Forlan and Edison Cavani. He managed to score three goals in the campaign and also labeled as "Hand of God" because of his controversial act to push the ball with his hands to save the ball from going on to the goal. Eventually, Uruguay won the match and secured the 3th position in the campaign. Suarez is then hated along the world because of his act but regarded as Hero by his country.


(to be continued)