Luis Suárez Miramontes the only Spanish man to win soccer’s most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or, has died this Sunday in Milan at 88 years old.
“Luis Suárez Miramontes died this Sunday in Milan at the age of 88,” Barcelona said in a statement. “Affectionately known as ‘Luisito’, he is considered by everyone to be one of the best players in the history of Spanish football, as well as being a key part of Barca in the second half of the 1950s.”
Suárez joined Inter in 1961, winning three Serie A titles, two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups during his nine years in Milan.
“Saying goodbye to Luisito leaves us with a profound sadness: nostalgia for his perfect and incomparable football, which inspired generations, is combined with the memory of a unique footballer and a great, great Inter player,” Inter said in a statement.
“We will miss him, because as [former Inter manager] Helenio Herrera preached, ‘If you don’t know what to do, give the ball to Suárez’.”
After retiring from playing in 1973, Suárez went on to manage Inter, Deportivo La Coruña, Cagliari and Spal.
He also took charge of the Spanish national team between 1988-91, leading them past the group stage of the 1990 World Cup.
