Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
P SHOWDOWN
SUAREZ: After two shameful World Cups, the Uruguayan must learn to handle the tooth
FOR Luis Suarez, the main aim in Russia must surely be to avoid the controversy that has blighted his two previous World Cups.
Suarez may be one of the most accomplished players on the planet but he also remains one of the most flawed, which is why the focus will be on the former Liverpool star today when Uruguay begin their World Cup against Egypt. In the 2010 World Cup Suarez was sent off for a deliberate handball ( far right) deep into extra-time with the score 1-1 in Uruguay’s quarterfinal with Ghana, preventing a goal that would surely have sent their opponents through.
Uruguay went on to win the resulting penalty shoot-out and Suarez’s villain status, which at times he has seemed to wear like a badge of honour, was firmly established.
At the last World Cup in Brazil, on the back of two previous biting incidents and a suspension for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, Suarez was embroiled in controversy again. He bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini (below) on the shoulder, leaving bite marks, the savage act earning him a nine-game international ban as well as a four-month suspension from all football-related activity.
His enforced exile helped him get his £75million dream move from Liverpool to Barcelona, although it delayed his Nou Camp debut until October 25, and confirmed his status as the enfant terrible of world football.
As the world waits for today’s showdown between Liverpool’s old hero Suarez and Liverpool’s new hero Mo Salah, Uruguay’s respected 71-year-old coach Oscar Tabarez said: “It’s been a lesson for Suarez to achieve greater maturity not only as a footballer but also in other areas away from the football pitch.
“He’s got the right mindset for this World Cup. In addition to being a great player, he’s very smart and he comes to the World Cup with maturity.”
Despite the controversies that have dogged him, Suarez has flourished at Barcelona, scoring 152 goals in 198 appearances and winning three La Liga titles in four years, as well as the Champions League.
The 31-year-old is set to be partnered up front by Edinson Cavani in a 4-4-2 formation for today’s Group B opener against Salah’s Egypt. Uruguay are desperate to end a 48-year wait for victory in their opening game of a World Cup campaign.