FIFA announced a 3 man shortlist for their best player of the year award with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann making it, however, one conspicuous absentee, who is ignored for individual prizes again and again, is Barcelona sharpshooter Luis Suarez.
The Barcelona number 9 has arguably taken his game to new heights ever since he completed a big-money transfer from Liverpool to Catalonia. Scoring and setting up goals for fun, Suarez even outscored Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann in the La Liga last season scoring 40 goals in 35 games, and winning the Pichichi award.
Supremely talented and tenacious, the Uruguayan always gives more than a 100% on the pitch. Known for his direct running and skilful dribbles, Luis Suarez tormented defenders all over Europe nutmegging them at will and scoring some spectacular and match-winning goals.
Also read: Luis Suarez confirms contract talks are ongoing with La Liga champions
In fact, Suarez played so well that he was made the side’s number 9 ahead of Leo Messi who had played there for the last few seasons. He himself seemed surprised by that fact:
"I never imagined playing in this position because Leo (Messi) was playing as the No.9, and I thought, 'where are they going to play me?',"
A supreme team player,Suarez’s contributions are not only restricted to the attacking side of the pitch. The Uruguayan can often be seen flying into tackles and working hard for the team when Barcelona relinquish possession. Never failing to give credit to Messi and Neymar, Suarez for large periods of last season quite possibly outshone his team-mates with his stunning performances.
His sheer volume of goals and assists this year merited a place in the top 3 and it can also be argued that Suarez played a starring role in Barcelona’s La Liga title win scoring an incredible 14 goals in Barcelona’s last 10 matches of La Liga last season.
Any other player would have definitely made it to the top 3, but the maverick Uruguayan is not any other person and is always viewed with a slightly different perspective due to his past misdemeanours ( read bites on Bakkal, Ivanovic and Chiellini).
Within his own squad, however, there is immense respect for his skills, with coach Luis Enrique even singling out the Uruguayan for praise after their La Liga triumph last season. Speaking to reporters, Enrique had said:
"I love players like Luis Suarez, there is no other forward in the world like him. He is a vital player for us and the best number 9 in the world without a doubt.”
While Messi rightly gets most of the plaudits for Barcelona’s success, he himself recognised the importance of Suarez to Luis Enrique’s team calling him the best ‘out and out forward’ in the game.
“What I can say is that he is the best out-and-out forward there is in the game today. He has so much to offer the team and it is a pleasure to play alongside him. We also have a very good relationship off the pitch and I am very happy to be sharing everything with him."
Undoubtedly one of the standout performers of this year, Suarez the footballer would have definitely made the list, but Suarez the man has missed out because of his past actions.
One of the most complete players in the game, the tainted genius of Luis Suarez seems destined (unfairly, some might say) to never win the FIFA Best Player of the year award.
