LUIS SUAREZ, ARCHITECT AND SHINING LIGHT

MILAN - Luis Suarez Miramontes grew up in the shadows of the Tower of Hercules, La Coruna's famous lighthouse. As a boy, it didn't take him long to figure out his favourite past-time. With makeshift balls and second-hand shoes, the streets of the Galician city soon become his first football pitches. In order to play there, however, Luis was forced to develop that pure technique that would later characterise his career.

After starting out for a local team, when he was 15, a newspaper advert set him on the road to greatness: "Depor are looking for young players," read the announcement. Suarez then joined the Deportivo La Coruna academy, before making his first-team debut in 1952. It only took him one season to convince the great Barcelona - sold on the youngster's ability - although doubts remained about his wiry frame. So much so, as revealed by Gianni Mura, his coach Ferenc Plattko set up a punchbag in the dressing room to try and get him to bulk up. Suarez didn't appreciate the move: "I'm here to be a footballer, not a boxer," he said firmly, before asking that the equipment be removed. For the brand of football he had in mind, his feet were enough - and then some - claimed young Luis.

His superb seven seasons at Barça were littered with trophies, as he claimed two league titles, two Fairs Cups and two domestic cups. He also become the first - and currently only - Ballon d'Or winner to have been born in Spain. But don't be fooled by how the modern Blaugrana have become synonymous with success. Back then, winning meant above all ending the dominance of Real Madrid and Alfredo Di Stefano who, despite the pair's inevitable rivalry, dubbed Suarez "The Architect". It wasn't particularly imaginative for a footballing genius, who was a decade ahead of his time in terms of the way he thought about and played the game.

In 1958, Helenio Herrera took over at Barcelona, before three years later - having joined Inter - he had Luisito's name at the top of the wishlist he presented to the club's management, who duly spent 250 million Lira to secure the player's signature. It was such a huge fee at that time that it's claimed the Catalan directors were sceptical until they got their hands on the cheque itself at the club's offices. Suarez, besides being an effective "Architect" in midfield, also become a key player in a side brimming with young yet inexperienced talent.

Luis was the man everyone looked to, a little like the lighthouse he could see from every corner of La Coruna growing up. He would receive the ball close to defenders before picking out the lightning-quick pair of Mazzola and Jair with pinpoint 50-60 yard forward passes. His pace also allowed him to make the occasional clinical late run.

In the 1964 European Cup final against Real Madrid, Luis realised in the tunnel that his team-mates were paying that legendary side too much respect. "Lads, we're here to beat them, not ask for their autograph," said the Spaniard, before inspiring his side to a 3-1 win - Inter's first international honour.

After a very successful spell in Milan, Suarez left Inter in 1970 albeit stayed in Italy. He chose Sampdoria but not to wile away the twilight of his career on the beaches of Liguria. He stayed in the city of Genoa for three seasons and his performances were so good they earned him a national team recall at the ripe old age of 37. At Sampdoria, like in Milan and Barcelona, Luis dazzled team-mates, opposition players and supporters alike. He had technique, pace and a great footballing brain. Meanwhile, the punchbag lay hanging from the ceiling, unmoved. Who needs muscles when you could move the ball like he could?

Alessandro Bai

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