Former Barcelona and Inter Milan midfielder Luis Suarez and Spain’s only male Ballon D’Or winner died at the age of 88 on Sunday.

In 1960, he was the first player born in Spain to win the Ballon d’Or. Later, he coached La Roja at the 1990 World Cup.

“From the RFEF we want to convey our condolences to all relatives and close friends of Luis Suarez Miramontes,” wrote the Spanish football federation on Twitter.

Suarez was loved in Italy too after becoming one of the league’s most celebrated midfielders at Inter Milan under coach Helenio Herrera in the 1960s.

“Saying goodbye to Luisito leaves us with a deep melancholy — the nostalgia of his perfect and inimitable football, which inspired generations, is combined with the memory of a unique footballer and a great, great Inter player,” wrote Inter in a statement.

Suarez was born in La Coruna in 1935, and he started his career there before moving to Barcelona in 1954.

He won the Ballon d’Or and two La Liga trophies with the Catalan giants, among other awards.

Alexia Putellas, a midfielder for Barcelona, is the only other player who was born in Spain and has won the Ballon d’Or. She has won the women’s trophy twice.

Alfredo Di Stefano won it twice, even though he was born in Buenos Aires and played for Argentina and then Spain.

Suarez joined Inter Milan for a world-record price in 1961. He won two European Cups, three Serie A titles, and other trophies during the club’s most successful time.

He also won the European Championships with Spain in 1964. He played 32 times for the Spanish national team.

Suarez retired from Sampdoria in 1973 and went on to coach them, Inter, Como, and Cagliari.

“Goodbye Luisito,” wrote Sampdoria on Twitter, posting a photo of the Spaniard in tribute.

Ciao Luisito. 😢 pic.twitter.com/PHRIIdHpRs

— U.C. Sampdoria (@sampdoria) July 9, 2023

In 1988, he became the coach of Spain’s national team. Two years later, he led them to the World Cup in Italy, where they lost to Yugoslavia in the round of 16.

Towards the end of his life, Suarez worked as a commentator on Spanish radio.

He had the same name as the Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who also played for Barcelona. However, they were not related.

“His father told me that if he’s called Luis, it’s my fault,” the Spaniard told So Foot in 2016.