David Suazo

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Suazo and the second or maternal family name is Velásquez.
David Suazo

Suazo training for Catania in 2011
Personal information
Full name Óscar David Suazo Velázquez
Date of birth (1979-11-05) 5 November 1979
Place of birth San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Height 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Striker
Youth career
Marathón
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Olimpia 10 (5)
1999–2007 Cagliari 255 (94)
2007–2011 Internazionale 27 (8)
2008–2009 → Benfica (loan) 12 (4)
2010 → Genoa (loan) 16 (3)
2011–2012 Catania 6 (0)
Total 327 (114)
National team
1999–2012 Honduras 57 (17)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Óscar David Suazo Velásquez (born 5 November 1979) is a retired Honduran professional footballer who played as a striker. He was named assistant coach of Cagliari in April 2015.[1]

Suazo played more than 300 league games and scored over 100 league goals in Italy during a span of 13 years.

Club career

Early career

Nicknamed La Pantera (The Panther) or El Rey David (The King David), Suazo was born in San Pedro Sula. In his early career, he developed alongside his cousin, Maynor Suazo, who also went on to play for the Honduran national team. Suazo took his first steps at Olimpia Reserves and later went on to play at the Liga Bancaria. After his participation in 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, he was acquired by domestic club team Olimpia. He continued to impress playing for Olimpia's youth system under the coaching of the late Angel Ramón Paz ("Mon Paz") and earned a spot on the top squad before turning 20 years old.[2]

Cagliari

Óscar Tabárez, then-coach of Italian side Cagliari, was impressed by Suazo's performance and did not hesitate in bringing him to Europe.[2] Suazo officially joined the club ahead of the 1999–2000 Serie A season. In his first year with the team, he scored one goal in 13 league appearances, and at the end of the 1999–2000 season, Cagliari were relegated to Serie B, where they would remain until the 2003–04 season. In four years in Serie B, Suazo played 113 matches and scored 40 goals for the club. His scoring efficiency was impressive enough for him to earn the nickname La Pantera (the Panther). Suazo's time in Serie B provided him with great experience which would help ease his transition into more difficult competition at the top of the Italian Lega Calcio.

In the 2004–05 Serie A season, Suazo scored seven goals in 22 matches in a 4–3–3 scheme in which he performed as a reserve behind Gianfranco Zola, Mauro Esposito and Antonio Langella. Suazo's scoring proved vital in helping Cagliari avoid relegation and impressed top clubs across Europe, despite only scoring six goals. In 2006, he became a starter for Cagliari and scored 22 goals in Serie A. For his play that season, Suazo was honoured with the Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year, which he shared with Milan's Kaká.[2] In 2007, Suazo continued his great play for Cagliari, where he scored 18 more goals in the Serie A and helped save Cagliari from another relegation to Serie B. During his spell with Cagliari, Suazo was known for his attacking partnership with both Langella and Esposito.

Internazionale

On 13 June 2007, reports arose that Suazo had agreed terms with Serie A champions Internazionale in a deal worth €14 million.[3] Six days later, however, crosstown rivals and reigning European champions Milan announced that they themselves had acquired Suazo. While Milan claimed they had successfully negotiated with Cagliari, the latter was confirmed by Cagliari President Massimo Cellino, who denied having made any contact with Massimo Moratti regarding the matter. Meanwhile, one of Suazo's agents, Carlo Pallavicino, added to the confusion by saying, "Suazo has not had any contact with Milan and he still has not given his consent to the transfer." It was later announced that Suazo was confirmed with Inter after Milan officially withdraw their contract offer. Since Suazo himself wanted to keep his initial agreement with Inter. "It was an issue of respect. The Rossoneri understood that I had a promise with coach Roberto Mancini, Marco Branca and president Massimo Moratti."[4] He was, in fact, free to join Inter for a fee of £9.4 million.[5][6][7][8][9][10] He scored his first Inter goal against Genoa and scored a total of eight goals throughout his first season with the Nerazzurri.

Loans

After a less-than-impressive first season with Inter, Suazo was loaned to Portuguese club Benfica for the 2008–09 season. Suazo however, appeared in just 12 league matches and scored just four goals during the season. Following his return to Inter in June 2009, he was given limited squad space and failed to make any starts for his club.

On 29 December 2009 it was confirmed that Suazo had been authorized to play friendly match for Genoa, two days before the opening of the winter transfer window.[11][12] After the opening of the transfer window, Suazo officially joined Genoa on a six-month loan deal, where he replaced Sergio Floccari, who was transferred to Lazio on 4 January. This was part of a deal that completed a three-way, three-man swap in which Inter also received Goran Pandev from Lazio on free transfer.

Suazo made his debut for Genoa against Milan in a losing effort, appearing on the scoresheet in the process. He scored the second goal for Genoa and was eventually substituted in the 80th minute for Hernán Crespo. His loan with Genoa proved to be highly unsuccessful, as the player scored a mere 2 goals in 16 Serie A appearances.

Return to Inter

After his Genoa loan expired, Suazo returned to Inter but, in part because of a long-term injury, he was not included in the first-team, thus failing to make a single appearance in the entire 2010–11 season. Suazo's contract with Inter expired on 30 June 2011, leaving the player without a contract. Since then, he was linked with a comeback at Cagliari following a trial period. This was a possibility that was later confirmed by club chairman Massimo Cellino, who, on 13 July 2011, confirmed Suazo's return to Sardinia by the end of the transfer window, and defined his signing as "a cherry on the pie".[13] The transfer, however, collapsed after Suazo was asked to leave Cagliari's pre-season camp after Cellino opted against the move and changed his decision about the transfer.

Catania

On 12 August 2011, Suazo signed for Catania on a one-year deal. He was officially presented on the same day alongside new arrivals Mario Paglialunga and Davide Lanzafame. Suazo was assigned the number 9 jersey, though only would make six appearances during his time in Sicily, which ended upon the expiration of his contract on 30 June 2012.

On 27 March 2013, he announced his retirement from football.

Style of play

Suazo's main characteristic as a forward was his incredible speed, arguably one of the Serie A's fastest players of his time. He also possessed great leadership skills, serving as Cagliari's captain. Suazo also took several penalties and occasionally scored from free kicks.

Personal

His brothers are Nicolás and Ruben Suazo. Former internationals Maynor Suazo and Hendry Thomas are his cousins. He holds Italian nationality due to his marriage to an Italian woman, Elisa Secchi, in 2005.[14] They have two sons, David Edoardo and Luis Gabriel.

Career statistics

Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Honduras League Honduran Cup North America Total
1997–98OlimpiaLiga Nacional00--00
1998–99105--105
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
1999–00CagliariSerie A13130-161
2000–01Serie B331232-3614
2001–02349--349
2002–03351031-3811
2003–04451910-4619
2004–05Serie A22731-258
2005–06372253-4225
2006–07361431-3915
2007–08Internazionale27830623610
2008–09Benfica (loan)Portuguese Liga124--41165
2009–10Genoa (loan)Serie A163----163
Internazionale10201040
2010–1100000000
2011–12Catania60000060
Total Honduras 105--105
Italy 29610526870325113
Portugal 124--41165
Career total 314114248101348123

International career

Suazo played for the Honduras national under-20 football team at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. He made his senior debut for Honduras in a May 1999 friendly match against Haiti and has earned a total of 57 caps, scoring 17 goals. He has represented his country in 30 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[15] He also played at the 2000 Summer Olympics and at the 2003 UNCAF Nations Cup[16] as well as at the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[17] He also played a few minutes of Honduras' first match at the 2001 Copa América.[18]

His final international was a June 2012 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Canada.

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
01. 16 July 2000 Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador  El Salvador 5 – 0 5 – 2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
02. 2 September 2000 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  El Salvador 4 – 0 5 – 0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
03. 12 June 2004 Stadion Ergilio Hato, Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles  Netherlands Antilles 1 – 0 2 – 1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
04. 12 June 2004 Stadion Ergilio Hato, Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles  Netherlands Antilles 2 – 0 2 – 1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
05. 19 June 2004 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Netherlands Antilles 2 – 0 4 – 0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
06. 18 August 2004 Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela, Costa Rica  Costa Rica 1 – 1 5 – 2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
07. 8 September 2004 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Guatemala 2 – 2 2 – 2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
08. 7 October 2006 Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States  Guatemala 3 – 2 3 – 2 Friendly
09. 12 September 2007 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Ecuador 1 – 0 2 – 1 Friendly
10. 26 March 2008 Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States  Colombia 1 – 0 2 – 1 Friendly
11. 4 June 2008 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Puerto Rico 3 – 0 4 – 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
12. 4 June 2008 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Puerto Rico 4 – 0 4 – 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
13. 7 June 2008 Estadio Nilmo Edwards, La Ceiba, Honduras  Haiti 2 – 0 3 – 1 Friendly
14. 14 June 2008 Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel, Bayamón, Puerto Rico  Puerto Rico 1 – 0 2 – 2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
15. 5 September 2009 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Trinidad and Tobago 4 – 0 4 – 1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
16. 18 November 2009 Land Shark Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States  Peru 1 – 1 1 – 2 Friendly
17. 11 April 2012 Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica  Costa Rica 1 – 0 1 – 1 Friendly

Honours

Club

Olimpia
Internazionale
Benfica

Country

Honduras

Individual

References

  1. ↑ OFICIAL: David Suazo es nombrado asistente técnico de Cagliari - Diez (Spanish)
  2. 1 2 3 "David Suazo, the black-and-blue panther". FIFA.com. 10 July 2007.
  3. ↑ FC Internazionale Milano 2006–07 Bilancio (Report and Accounts), Require purchase in CCIAA (Italian)
  4. ↑ "Suazo Thanks Milan For "Understanding"". Goal.com. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  5. ↑ "Inter, AC fight over Suazo". Setanta Sport. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  6. ↑ "Milan confirm Suazo swoop". Football Italia. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 13 September 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  7. ↑ "Suazo mystery deepens!". Football Italia. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  8. ↑ "AC Milan cool Eto´o interest as row erupts over Suazo". Soccerway. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  9. ↑ "Both Milan clubs claim Suazo deal". CNN. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  10. ↑ "Official Milan Release Suazo". Channel 4 Football Italia. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 26 June 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  11. ↑ "DAVID SUAZO ARRIVING AT THE SIGNORINI". Genoa C.F.C. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
  12. ↑ "Inter reach agreement with Genoa over Suazo". inter.it. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  13. ↑ "Cellino annuncia Suazo "Ciliegina sulla torta"" [Cellino announces Suazo "Cherry on the pie"] (in Italian). La Repubblica. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  14. ↑ "Io, Suazo, tra matrimonio calcio e la morte del Papa" (in Italian). L'Unione Sarda. 4 April 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  15. ↑ David Suazo – FIFA competition record
  16. ↑ Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 2003 - Details - RSSSF
  17. ↑ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2003 - Full Details - RSSSF
  18. ↑ Copa América 2001 - RSSSF
  19. 1 2 3 4 5

External links

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