Former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Suarez Miramontes — who played for Inter Milan and FC Barcelona — has passed away at age 88 on Sunday.
Suarez is known as one of the greatest Spanish players of all time who made 32 international appearances for his country, including playing in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups and scoring 14 goals.
“Aged 88 years old, Luis Suárez Miramontes passed away in Milan today. A Barça player from 1954 to 1961, the Galician is the first and only male Spanish player to win the Ballon D'Or to date. He went on to play for Inter Milan, where he also has legendary status,” Barca said in an official statement.
“Affectionately known as 'Luisito', he is considered one of the best players in Spanish football history, and he played a key role for Barça during the second half of the 1950s.”
Meanwhile. Inter Milan wrote in a statement: "FC Internazionale Milano, its president Steven Zhang, the Vice President Javier Zanetti, the CEOs Alessandro Antonello and Giuseppe Marotta, the coach Simone Inzaghi and his staff, the players and the entire Inter world join in mourning the loss of Luis Suarez and, in remembering him, they embrace his family members."
The Spaniard joined Barcelona in 1955, where he spent seven years winning La Liga twice and leaving his mark as a legendary figure at Camp Nou.
After a successful stint at Barca, he joined Inter Milan in 1961, where he spent nine years that were full of success while making 328 appearances and scoring 55 goals from midfield.
Suarez — nicknamed “The Architect” — was one of the key players of the legendary “Grande Inter” team which won the Serie A title three times and also won two consecutive European cups.
Suarez played out the final three years of his career in Italy with Sampdoria, before moving into coaching.
After retiring, he managed Spain between 1988 and 1991, leading his side to the second round of the World Cup at Italia 90.
He also took charge of Inter — where he was unable to replicate the success of his playing days — on three occasions, as well as Como, Cagliari and Deportivo.