Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has had a famously sour career in terms of his on-field behaviour but perhaps his least famous – sparked the beginning of a ill-tempered career.
Born in Salto, Uruguay, Suarez was quickly noticed by local club Nacional but his although like most determined youngsters in the region – the 15-year-old found life hard as a footballing prospect.
During one game in his youth career, the striker was sent off and hit out at the referee with a viscous headbutt, which resulted in the official have a severely broken nose. But, despite his actions, Suarez was allowed to remain at the club.
Weeks later, the youngster would be involved in a drinking binge which was further ignored by the club and he went on to make his debut at the age of 18.
“Had the club dealt with Suarez better back then, maybe he would not have acted this way this World Cup. In 2003, it was hard for Uruguayan clubs to let players like him leave or discipline them, the country does not get many like him,” a source close to Club Nacional de Football told Football Express News.
Suarez has later gone on to be involved in several on-field incidents which recently saw him bite the shoulder of Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil.
He received a ban for his actions which will see him miss four months of footballing activity and nine games for the Uruguayan national side.
“In Uruguay, people do not seem disappointed in him. It seems the ban is excessive but his behaviour should be ignored,” the source added.