Luis Suárez obituary

Footballer who helped Spain become European champions in 1964 and won many honours with Barcelona and Internazionale

With Barcelona, Spain and the Milan club Internazionale alike, the footballer Luis Suárez, who has died aged 88, was the complete inside-forward of the 1950s and 60s. A compound of power, skill, stamina and vision, he was the inspiration of the Spain team that won the European Championship in 1964 and excelled at club level in the European Cup, which he won with Internazionale in 1964 and 1965. For good measure he also twice helped Barcelona to the European Fairs Cup.

With his dark hair slicked back and always carefully parted, Suárez was reminiscent of an Argentinian tango singer of the 30s. On the field of play he had an elusive body swerve and a devastating right foot that provided him with more than 100 goals across his career. He was always, however, more of a creator than a marksman, and his laudable consistency allowed him to make well over 400 appearances during a highly successful 20-year span in the Spanish and Italian leagues. He was one of the greatest players Spain has ever produced.

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