Luis Suarez, only Spanish man to win Ballon d’Or, has died

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Luis Suarez Miramontes, the so-called “Golden Galician” who’s the one Spanish man to win soccer’s most prestigious particular person award, the Ballon d’Or, has died, in keeping with former membership Inter Milan. He was 88.

Inter didn’t point out the reason for Suarez’s loss of life when saying his passing on Sunday.

Although born within the northwest Spanish area of Galicia, the midfielder gained the majority of his trophies in Italy with Inter, together with the European Cup in 1964 and 1965 and three Italian league titles. Suarez moved to Inter from Barcelona after profitable two Spanish league titles.

“Sadly his greatest and most successful period came when he was no longer a Barca player,” Barcelona’s web site famous.

Suarez gained the Ballon d’Or in 1960 and was runner-up in 1961 and 1964. He performed on Spain’s staff that gained the 1964 European Championship, its first main title.

After retiring in 1973, Suarez had three spells teaching Inter. He additionally managed Spain’s nationwide aspect from 1988-91.

Suarez downplayed his Ballon d’Or, a trophy that eluded subsequent Spanish superstars together with Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Raul Gonzalez.

“So much depends on the era you find yourself living in,” Suarez advised FIFA’s web site. “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 ahead Alfredo di Stefano, who gained the award in 1957 and 1959, was born in Argentina.

Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas has gained the ladies’s Ballon d’Or twice.