Luis Suárez's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Luis Suárez. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Luis Suárez is a Uruguayan professional footballer, currently playing for Inter Miami. Widely considered one of the best strikers of his generation, he is known for his goal-scoring prowess, movement, and finishing ability. Nicknamed "El Pistolero," Suárez has an impressive record, exceeding 500 career goals. He has won numerous individual awards, including two European Golden Shoes, an Eredivisie Golden Boot, a Premier League Golden Boot, and a Pichichi Trophy, solidifying his place among football's elite.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1986: Ian Rush's Liverpool season

In April 2014, Suarez became the first Liverpool player to score 30 league goals in a season since Ian Rush in 1986-87.

2008: Ajax Player of the Year

In 2008, Suárez was named Ajax Player of the Year.

2009: Suárez wins Pichichi and Golden Shoe

In 2016, Luis Suárez became the first player since 2009 other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win both the Pichichi and the Golden Shoe in a season.

2009: European Golden Shoe

Since 2009, Suárez was the first player other than Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win both FIFA FIFPro World11 and awarded the Pichichi Trophy and his second European Golden Shoe.

June 2010: 2010 World Cup Squad Selection

In June 2010, Suárez was named to Uruguay's 23-man World Cup squad. He drew a penalty and assisted a goal against South Africa. In the final group stage match, he scored against Mexico and was named Man of the Match, helping Uruguay win Group A.

2010: Eredivisie Champion

Ajax ended the 2010–11 season as Eredivisie champions, and Suárez was given a winner's medal for his 7 goals in 13 appearances.

2010: Ronaldo's Move to Real Madrid

In 2010, Cristiano Ronaldo accomplished the best start for a player at a new club with Real Madrid, scoring 13 goals in 15 appearances.

2010: 2010 FIFA World Cup

In 2010, Suárez was named in the 2010 World Cup All-Star Team.

2010: First Goal of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

In October 2020, Suárez scored the first goal of the South American 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, becoming the first player to score the opening goal three times in the competition's history, after doing so in 2010 and 2014.

2011: Copa América and FIFA Ballon d'Or Nomination

After winning the Player of the Tournament at the 2011 Copa América, Suárez had a disappointing 2011–12 season by his standards. On 26 February, Liverpool won the League Cup, defeating Cardiff City in a penalty shootout. He also finished sixth for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

2011: Falcao's Goal contributions

In 2011, Radamel Falcao had nine goals and one assist in his first twelve La Liga matches.

2011: 2011 Copa América Victory

In 2011, Suárez played a key role in Uruguay's Copa América victory. He scored in the opening game, assisted in the next, and converted a penalty in the quarter-finals. He also scored twice in the semi-final win and scored the opening goal and set up another in the final, leading Uruguay to their 15th Copa América title. Suárez was named MVP of the Tournament.

2012: Second-Top Goalscorer

In 2012-2013, Suárez was second-top goalscorer in the Premier League with 23 goals and Liverpool's top scorer in all competitions with 30 goals.

May 2013: Liverpool Player of the Season

On 28 May 2013, Suárez was named as Liverpool's player of the season after receiving 64% of votes in a poll of the club's supporters.

2013: 2013 Confederations Cup Performance

In 2013, Suárez played in the Confederations Cup. He scored a free-kick against Spain and two goals against Tahiti, becoming Uruguay's all-time top goalscorer with 35 goals. Uruguay was eliminated in the semi-finals.

2013: Suárez scores four goals against Norwich City

In December 2013, Suárez achieved several milestones. On December 4, 2013, he scored four goals against Norwich City, becoming the first Premier League player to score three hat-tricks against the same club. On December 15, 2013, he captained Liverpool for the first time against Tottenham Hotspur. On December 16, 2013, Suárez was named Football Supporters' Federation Player of the Year for 2013. On December 20, 2013, he signed a new contract with Liverpool.

2013: Suárez returns to Liverpool team

Throughout 2013, Luis Suárez reversed his decision to leave Liverpool, expressing his desire to stay and potentially sign a contract extension due to the support from fans. He returned to first-team training and on September 25, 2013, played his first game of the 2013-14 season against Manchester United. On September 29, 2013, he made his first Premier League appearance, scoring twice against Sunderland. On October 26, 2013, Suárez scored his fourth Premier League hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion.

January 2014: Suárez sets scoring record

On January 1, 2014, Luis Suárez became the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler to score 20 or more goals in successive Premier League seasons. He also equaled Andy Cole's Premier League record for the earliest date to reach the 20-goal mark, doing so in a record low of 15 matches.

May 2014: Suárez wins PFA Player of the Year award

In May 2014, Luis Suárez was named the Football Association Writers' Player of the Year. He ended the season with 31 goals, winning the Premier League Golden Boot and sharing the European Golden Shoe with Cristiano Ronaldo. He also won the Barclay's Premier League Player of the Season award as Liverpool finished second in the league and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

2014: Top Scorer in World Cup Qualification

In 2014, Suárez ended the World Cup qualification campaign as the top scorer in the South American section with 11 goals in 14 matches.

2014: Suárez misses World Cup

In 2016 it was noted that Suárez also previously missed part of the 2014 World Cup and the entire 2015 Copa América through suspension.

2014: First Goal of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

August 2015: Suárez scores in UEFA Super Cup

On August 11, 2015, Luis Suárez began the 2015–16 season by scoring and assisting a goal in Barcelona's 5–4 extra time victory over Sevilla in the 2015 UEFA Super Cup.

2015: Goals scored by Messi, Suárez and Neymar

In 2015, the front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar scored combined 131 goals, breaking their previous record for most goals by an attacking trio in a single season.

2016: Suárez wins Pichichi Trophy

During the 2015-16 La Liga season, which concluded in 2016, Luis Suárez scored a hat-trick to secure a second consecutive Spanish championship for Barcelona. He registered 40 league goals, winning his first Pichichi Trophy and a second European Golden Shoe. Suárez led La Liga in both goals and assists. On May 22, 2016, he suffered a hamstring injury during the Copa del Rey Final. He ended the season with 59 goals and 22 assists.

2016: Suárez scores in Supercopa de España

Luis Suárez began the 2016–17 season by scoring a goal in Barcelona's 2016 Supercopa de España first leg match against Sevilla. In the first La Liga match of the 2016-17 season, Suárez scored a hat-trick against Real Betis. He also made his 100th Barcelona appearance.

October 2017: World Cup Qualification and Joint Record

In October 2017, Suárez scored twice in a 4–2 win against Bolivia, securing Uruguay's place in the 2018 World Cup and becoming the joint all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with 21 goals.

June 2018: 2018 World Cup

In June 2018, Suárez won his 100th cap and scored the only goal against Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, earning him Man of the Match. He was again named Man of the Match against Russia, scoring a free kick. He also assisted a goal against Portugal.

April 2019: Barcelona secures La Liga title

On April 27, 2019, Barcelona secured a second consecutive La Liga title, marking Suárez's fourth league title with the club.

December 2019: Backheel Goal Nominated for Puskás Award

In December 2019, Suárez's backheel goal against Mallorca, scored on December 7th, was nominated for the 2020 FIFA Puskás Award.

May 2020: Instagram Followers Milestone

As of May 2020, Suárez has over 40 million Instagram followers, the most for a person from Uruguay.

October 2020: First Goal of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification

2020: Signing with Atlético Madrid

In 2020, Suárez signed for Atlético Madrid and played a crucial role in the club's La Liga title victory during his first season.

2020: Backheel goal nominated for FIFA Puskás Award

In 2020, Suárez's backheel goal against Mallorca was nominated for the 2020 FIFA Puskás Award, finishing in second place.

January 2021: Suárez scores a 90th-minute winner

In January 2021, Suárez scored a 90th-minute winner against Alavés on January 3rd, surpassing Radamel Falcao's record for the best start with Atlético this century.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

2022: Leads Nacional to Uruguayan Primera División Champions

On October 31, during the Championship finals of 2022, Suárez had a Man of the Match performance, scoring twice to lead Nacional to a 4–1 victory against Liverpool Montevideo, making them the 2022 Uruguayan Primera División Champions.

2023: Wins Campeonato Gaúcho with Grêmio

On April 8, 2023, Suárez won his second title for Grêmio, the Campeonato Gaúcho, after scoring a penalty against Caxias in the second leg of the finals.