David Suazo

Óscar David Suazo Velázquez (born 5 November 1979) is a Honduran retired professional footballer turned coach who played as a striker. Suazo played more than 300 league games and scored over 100 league goals in Italy during a span of 13 years.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Suazo and the second or maternal family name is Velásquez.
David Suazo
Suazo with Honduras in 2012
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)
Position(s) 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)
2010–2011 → Genoa (loan) 16 (3)
2011–2012 Catania 6 (0)
Total 327 (114)
National team
1999–2012 Honduras 57 (17)
Teams managed
2018 Brescia
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Early career

Nicknamed La Pantera (The Panther) or El Rey David (The King David),[1] 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 Honduras national football 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] for US$2 million transfer fee and US$200,000 tax to National Autonomous Federation of Football of Honduras, as well as 15–20% of the future capital gain if Cagliari sold the player above the US$2.2M price tag.[3] 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. Six days later, however, crosstown rivals and reigning European champions Milan announced that they themselves had acquired Suazo.[4][5][6][7][8] While Milan claimed they had successfully negotiated with Cagliari, the deal with Inter was confirmed by Cagliari chairman Massimo Cellino. 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 on 26 June for €14 million fee (with about US$2.5 million was required to pay by Cagliari to Olimpia)[3][9][10] after Milan officially withdrew their contract offer.[11] Since Suazo himself wanted to keep his initial agreement with Inter. "It was an issue of respect. The Rossoneri (nickname of Milan) understood that I had a promise with coach Roberto Mancini, Marco Branca and chairman Massimo Moratti."[12] He scored his first Inter goal against Genoa and scored a total of eight goals throughout his first season with the Nerazzurri (the nickname of Inter).

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.[13][14] 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".[15] 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
Suazo training for Catania in 2011

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.[16]

On 27 March 2013, at the age of 33, he announced his retirement from football, due to his persisting struggles with knee injuries.[17]

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.[18] He also played at the 2000 Summer Olympics and at the 2003 UNCAF Nations Cup[19] as well as at the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[20] He also played a few minutes of Honduras' first match at the 2001 Copa América.[21]

His final international appearance came on 12 June 2012, in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Canada.[22]

Post-playing and coaching career

Following his retirement as a player, Suazo was hired by his former team Cagliari as a scout. In 2014, he joined the first team coaching staff as an assistant to Ivo Pulga for the final part of the season; he successively was appointed to the same role by the end of the 2014–15 season, supporting new head coach Gianluca Festa.

For the 2015–16 season, he was named new youth team coach for the Giovanissimi Nazionali.

On 5 June 2018 he was appointed manager of Serie B side Brescia by Massimo Cellino, former chairman of his while at Cagliari.[23] He was however sacked on 18 September 2018 after a negative start to the new season.[24]

Style of play

A quick and physically strong striker, Suazo is considered to be one of the greatest players Honduras has ever produced. His main characteristic as a forward was his incredible speed, both on and off the ball, which made him arguably one of the fastest Serie A players of his time. His pace and acceleration made him a dangerous offensive threat on counter-attacks and allowed him to create space and provide depth to his team with his runs from behind. In spite of his ability, however, he was often injury prone throughout his career.[1][25][26][27][28][29] He also possessed notable determination and great leadership skills on the pitch, serving as Cagliari's captain.[17][30] Suazo also took several penalties and occasionally scored from free kicks.

Personal life

David's 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.[31] They have two sons, David Edoardo and Luis Gabriel.

Career statistics

Club
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
ClubSeasonLeague AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Honduras League Honduran Cup North America Total
Olimpia1997–98Liga Nacional00--00
1998–99105--105
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
Cagliari1999–2000Serie 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
Internazionale2007–08Serie A26830623610
2009–1010201040
2010–1100000000
Benfica (loan)2008–09Portuguese Liga124--41165
Genoa (loan)2009–10Serie A163----163
Catania2011–1260000060
Total Honduras 105--105
Italy 29610526870325113
Portugal 124--41165
Career total 314114248101348123

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

International
Honduras

Individual

References
  1. "David Suazo: una pantera si aggira per la Serie A" (in Italian). CalcioNews24.com. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  2. "David Suazo, the black-and-blue panther". FIFA.com. 10 July 2007.
  3. "Arbitration CAS 2010/A/2193 Club Cagliari Calcio S.p.A. v. Club Olimpia Deportivo, award of 15 September 2011" (PDF). Court of Arbitration for Sport. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  4. "Inter, AC fight over Suazo". Setanta Sport. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  5. "Milan confirm Suazo swoop". Football Italia. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 22 June 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  6. "Suazo mystery deepens!". Football Italia. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 22 June 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  7. "AC Milan cool Eto'o interest as row erupts over Suazo". Soccerway.com. Agence France-Presse. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  8. "Both Milan clubs claim Suazo deal". CNN. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  9. FC Internazionale Milano 2006–07 Bilancio (Report and Accounts), PDF purchased in Italian CCIAA (in Italian)
  10. "David Suazo joins Inter" (Press release). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 26 June 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  11. "Official Milan Release Suazo". Football Italia. 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  12. "Suazo Thanks Milan For "Understanding"". Goal.com. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
  13. "DAVID SUAZO ARRIVING AT THE SIGNORINI". Genoa C.F.C. 29 December 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  14. "Inter reach agreement with Genoa over Suazo". inter.it. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  15. "Cellino annuncia Suazo "Ciliegina sulla torta"" [Cellino announces Suazo "Cherry on the pie"] (in Italian). La Repubblica. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  16. "Suazo cambia isola: al Catania fino al 30 giugno 2012" (in Italian). Sky.it. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  17. JAVIER ESTEPA (29 March 2013). "El adiós de 'La Pantera' Suazo" (in Spanish). Marca. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  18. David Suazo – FIFA competition record
  19. Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 2003 - Details Archived 17 January 2010 at WebCite - RSSSF
  20. CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2003 - Full Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine - RSSSF
  21. Copa América 2001 Archived 19 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine - RSSSF
  22. "Canada 0-0 Honduras". ESPN FC. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  23. https://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/05-06-2018/suazo-nuovo-allenatore-brescia-cellino-richiama-vecchio-amore-270674411875.shtml
  24. "Comunicato ufficiale" (in Italian). Brescia Calcio. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  25. MARCO PIATTI (11 August 2011). "L'ultima idea per l'attacco è Suazo" (in Italian). La Stampa. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  26. Enrico Sisti (5 April 2014). "Valencia e il fascino dello scatto" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  27. Ed Vulliamy (16 October 2004). "Messina turn Italian football on its head". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  28. "Mourinho rilancia Suazo Eto'o resta a casa" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  29. "David Suazo: It's no fun being a fan". FIFA.com. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  30. Matteo Sechi (16 October 2011). "Quella volta andò così - Cagliari - Siena 1-0, la notte che si abbandonò l'inferno" (in Italian). Tutto Cagliari. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  31. "Io, Suazo, tra matrimonio calcio e la morte del Papa" (in Italian). L'Unione Sarda. 4 April 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
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