It's fair to say that Luis Suarez has been the player in the Premier League this season. He always, no matter what game it is or who Liverpool are playing, manages to find the back of the net. This season it's like he has a point to prove. After the controversy surrounding his bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, he was banned for the rest of the 2012-2013 season and the start of the 2013-2014 calendar. Even in that season, he was excellent, scoring 23 goals (already matched by this season's tally), but where did it all begin for the Uruguayan?
A young Suarez joined Nacional, his local side, in 2003 at the age of 14. However, he was always one for controversy, even at that age. By the time he was 15, he had already head butted an official in a youth match and a few months later was caught drinking and partying out late at night. His manager gave him an ultimatum. Either take football seriously or give up on a career. Fortunately he chose the former. He later made his debut in May 2005 for Nacional at the age of 17 against Junior de Barranquilla in the Copa Libatedores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League. The next season he scored 10 goals in 27 games as Nacional went on to win the 2005-2006 Uruguayan League. In that season, scouts from the Dutch club Groningen spotted him. In the game that they witnessed, Suarez won and converted a penalty and scored an amazing goal against Defensor. After only watching that one game, the scouts approached Suarez and told him they wanted to take him to Europe.
Groningen forked out £6563288 for Luis Suarez to join their club. He wasn't immediately thrust into the first team, playing games for Groningen's second team in the lower divisions. After a couple of games, however, Suarez made his debut for the full team in the Eredevise. He went on to score 10 goals in 29 games for Groningen in his only season there. He left the club to join Ajax in a deal worth 7.5 million Euros at the end of the 2006-2007 season.
Upon arrival at Ajax, he signed a 5 year deal. Suarez made his debut for the Dutch giants against Slavia Prague in a Champions League qualifier. He scored his first goal in his league debut for Ajax and then twice on his home debut, scoring 17 in 33 in the Eredevise that season, up front with current Schalke striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. The next season, 2008-2009, was his best yet. He scored 22 in 33 and was named Ajax player of the year. 2009-2010 was even better, however. New Ajax coach Martin Jol had given Suarez the captains armband at the start of the season following Thomas Vermalen's transfer to Arsenal and he showed why, grabbing 35 in 33, 49 in all competitions. Again, he was named Ajax player of the year and this time Eredevise player of the year. Now there was some real interest from many top clubs across Europe. After an excellent World Cup (despite being sent off for a blatant handball to stop the ball crossing the line v. Ghana) there were talks of potential moves to Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, he stayed at Ajax, only to cause even more controversy. On the 20th November 2010, Suarez bit PSV player Otman Bakkal on the shoulder. Ajax immediately banned him for two games before a disciplinary panel decided to ban him for seven Eredevise games. He would never play for Ajax again.
In the January transfer window, Liverpool submitted a £22.8 Million offer for Luis Suarez (which, considering Andy Carrol cost £35 Million, is a bargain) and was duly accepted. He was given a send off by the Ajax fans that he would never forget and later that month would go on to complete his move to the Reds. The Uruguayan signed a five and a half year deal with the Merseyside club and there was great expectations from the Kop faithful on their new arrival. He truly lifted Liverpool that season, from a disappointing twelfth place when he joined to a much better sixth. Suarez scored four goals in 13 games, including one on his debut against Stoke City. Suarez won the player of the tournament at the 2011 Copa America but had a poor full season in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals in 31 games. In October of the 2011-2012 season, Suarez was found guilty by the FA of racially abusing Manchester United full back Patrice Evra. He was given an eight game ban and a £40,000 fine. Suarez still denies claims that a racially abusive term was used, saying that the word "negrito" was not used to offend back in Uruguay. However, the next season, 2012-2013, Suarez came back with a bang! After signing a long term contract in August, Suarez felt he had a point to prove. He finished second on the list for PFA player of the year, behind Gareth Bale, and was named as part of the Premier League team of the year. He had scored 23 goals in 30 games and was the second top scorer in the Premier League. However, he could have got more goals had that season not been marred by his horrific bite on Branislav Ivanovic, not initially spotted by the referee. He would later be given a ten game ban for his actions. As the 2013-2014 season started to draw near, Arsenal put in a hilarious £40,000,001 bid for the player, meaning that he would have to be informed on the offer but Liverpool did not accept it. Liverpool owner John Henry later told the public that Suarez would not be sold this season, even after he had claimed he wanted to leave. He started the season in a Capital One Cup game against Manchester United which they lost 1-0. However, he made a scoring return to the Premier League, grabbing a goal against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light. Since then, Suarez has been incredible, scoring 23 goals and 7 assists in just 19 games, an unbelievable tally. According to transfermarkt.co.uk, Suarez is currently worth £46 Million, more than ever before.
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