Luis Suárez awarded Trofeo EFE for dazzling season with Atlético Madrid

Madrid, Dec 2 (EFE).- Goalscorer extraordinaire and a decisive factor in Atlético Madrid’s victorious 2020/21 LaLiga campaign, Uruguay international Luis Suárez was on Thursday awarded the Trofeo EFE for the best Ibero-American player in the Spanish league last season.

President of Spain’s Efe news agency, Gabriela Cañas, said it recognized the “effort and hardwork” of the striker during a ceremony at the organization’s headquarters in Madrid where the trophy, a silver football atop a podium, was handed over.

“Any recognition at an individual level is welcome,” Suárez said.

“It makes you feel proud of the work and sacrifice you dedicate to this profession, which to reach your top level means you lose out on hours with your children and family daily,” the Uruguayan said.

He gave additional thanks to Atlético Madrid for the confidence the club placed in him last season following his complicated and surprise exit from Barcelona after six seasons.

Cañas said: “We are happy to award this prize to Luis Suárez. At Efe news agency we have an authentic passion for sport and for the values it represents.

“This symbolic football that we give to you is a way to build bridges between Spain and Latin America. For us it is exciting. Efe news agency is not only Spanish, but rather Ibero-American.”

“We like to follow the activities of athletes, especially those like Luis Suárez, who the agency has followed from a young age, when he emerged from Montevideo, when he played for Nacional,” she added.

This year’s Trofeo EFE recognizes a player whose goal scoring ability sent Atlético to league glory. The 34-year-old hit the back of the net 21 times for his club, more than any other player in LaLiga last season.

The last two of those were late match-winners, a characteristic of the Uruguayan that prompted Atlético manager Diego Simeone to label the crucial last stretch of the season the “the Suarez zone.” EFE

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