Luis Suarez

Luis Alberto Suarez Diaz (born January 24 1987 in Salto Uruguay) is a Uruguayan professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation. Known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability movement and clinical finishing Suarez has earned the nickname El Pistolero (The Gunman). Over his illustrious career he has scored over 500 goals for club and country cementing his legacy as a prolific and influential figure in modern football.

Suarez was born into a humble family in Salto the second-largest city in Uruguay. He grew up in poverty alongside his six siblings with his father Rodolfo Suarez working as a porter and his mother Sandra Diaz supporting the family. When Luis was seven the family moved to Montevideo the capital of Uruguay in search of better opportunities. His parents separated when he was nine leaving his mother to raise the children alone. Despite financial struggles Suarez developed a passion for football honing his skills on the streets of Montevideo.

Suarez began his senior career with Nacional in 2005 at the age of 18. In his debut season he helped the club win the Uruguayan Primera Division title scoring 10 goals in 27 appearances. His performances caught the attention of European scouts setting the stage for his move abroad.

In 2006 at age 19 Suarez transferred to Dutch club Groningen for 800000 euros. After a successful season where he scored 10 goals in 29 matches he moved to Ajax in 2007 for 7.5 million euros. At Ajax Suarez flourished becoming captain in 2009 and leading the team to the Eredivisie title in 2010-11. He also won the KNVB Cup in 2010 and was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2010 after scoring 35 goals in 33 league matches. In total he scored 111 goals in 159 appearances for Ajax.