Barcelona: Uruguayan Luiz Suarez has been in the headlines for many controversial reasons in the past, but the Barcelona forward is looking for redemption when he heads to next month’s World Cup in Russia after ending the previous two editions in disgrace.
Suarez first came into headlines when deliberately handed a the ball to make a goal-line save that denied Ghana a place in the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The 31-year-old again made the headline in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, this time he inexplicably bite on the shoulder of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during a group match. He was immediately slapped with a nine-match ban from playing for Uruguay and a four-month ban from any competitive football.
However, since then Suarez tried to avoid any types of controversy that could dent his reputation and also affect his career. The prime target for one of the vital cogs in the Uruguay dressing room this time would be to keen to score more goals for the team and better their fourth-place finish that they did eight years ago.
However, Suarez who signed for Barcelona four years ago from Liverpool, has been in prime form this season scoring 31 goals in 51 matches for the Catalan giants in all competitions. He also has 18 assists to his name.
Tenacious and technically gifted, Suarez is equally effective with his back to goal as he is running at defenders. With a strong will to win, Suarez is the player Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez will look to when his side needs inspiration.
Despite being outscored by strike partner Edinson Cavani in the South American qualifying competition, Suarez played a key role scoring five goals including the equaliser in a 2-2 draw at five-times world champions Brazil.