FWA Footballer of the Year: Luis Suarez

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been awarded the FWA Footballer of the Year. It is said that he has completed his redemption from outcast to hero by winning this title, given by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).

Last month he was awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) player of the year. Now, by winning another title, his honor probably doubled.

The honor follows an astonishing turnaround for Luis Suarez. The 27-year-old Uruguayan finished ahead of team mate Steven Gerrard and Yaya Toure of Manchester City in the poll. But he began this season serving the remainder of a 10-match ban, which was imposed for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

Yes definitely he missed the first five games of the season. But now he is the Premier League’s top scorer this season with 30 goals with two matches remaining. And Luis Suarez will play against Gerrard and England in the World Cup in Brazil next month.

Although with all his attributes, Luis Suarez couldn’t sustain Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge. Manchester City have already won the Premier League.

Of around 300 members, Luis Suarez polled 52 per cent of the vote. He got only two, last year.

FWA chairman Andy Dunn told Sky Sports,

“He did only receive two votes last season,”

He also added,

“Our voting opened just 12 hours after the biting incident at Anfield last season, so that was taken into account”

FWA Footballer of the Year is not only based on player’s achievements on the pitch. It also depends on their behavior throughout the season.

Dunn continued,

“His behavior throughout the season has been very good”

“There is an element of redemption – allied with those 30 goals and the sensational talent he has displayed all season -and it has made him a very popular choice.”

Luis Suarez becomes the 10th Liverpool player to win the award. One of their previous winners of WFA award, Ian Rush praised Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for this. The way he handled a difficult period at the start of this season, is really praiseworthy.

Rush told Sky Sports,

“Suarez was training by himself and the manager welcomed him back and said you are one of the players now”

“The manager could have handled it differently. And Luis Suarez has repaid him.”

Ian Rush was the FWA Footballer of the Year in 1984. He also praised Luis Suarez for his work. Rush indicated about his huge influence on the Liverpool team attempting to win the title after a long decade.

He added,

“I think he has made a big difference to Liverpool’s players – not just himself.”

FWA Footballer of the Year award is the oldest of its kind in world football. It was first awarded in 1948 with Stanley Matthews the first recipient.

Past FWA Players of the Year are listed below: