Liverpool scoring sensation Luis Suarez has been a very hot topic lately. Lots of international football fans are concerned with 1.) his fitness for the World Cup and/or 2.) Real Madrid’s big money bid for him.
Luis Suarez says he’s staying at Anfield. Although the Spanish giants are refusing to concede defeat in their battle to sign him. As for the star striker’s health, well that’s a very small timetable he has to work with for an injury of his magnitude. However, the people in the know say he’ll be ready to go. (Hey, that rhymes)
Suarez will also be featured prominently in ESPN The Magazine’s World Cup preview issue focusing on the globe’s biggest tournament. Argentina’s Lionel Messi graces the cover. And it includes feature stories on Uruguay’s Luis Suarez, a 10-page package on the U.S., which includes coverage on the team’s most integral players Michael Bradley, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey. The Mag also spends time with Brazil’s most beloved footballer, Pelé, dives into the uncertain world of hooliganism, and previews all eight groups.
The piece is entitled “Portrait of a serial winner.” Here’s the preview via ESPN PR
A journey in pursuit of Luis Suarez, who — when he’s not biting opponents — is the most beautiful player in the game. When people tell the violent past of Luis Suarez, they often begin with an incident when he was 15 and head-butted an official. That’s where the boilerplate narrative begins. We go looking in Uruguay for that official, with a surprising result. Along the way, a rare glimpse into the Suarez that no one knows came into focus. By Wright Thompson.
The author is known for getting unprecedented access; many of his past features bare that out. His long form profile of Johnny Manziel was probably the best thing I read all of last summer. I’m sure the Luis Suarez feature will not disappoint.
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also a frequent guest on national talk radio. Banks, a former contributor to NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, has been featured in numerous outlets including NFL.com, Forbes and the History Channel. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)