Luis Suarez with Abel Hernandez

Luis Suarez leading the way

Football is the main team-based sport in Uruguay, but in Luis Suarez we are proud to have one of the best players in the world. The Salto-born star has risen to the top since progressing through the ranks at the most successful club in the country, with Nacional providing his first step to the top at the age of 14. He is now a recognised star for club and country, with his goal-scoring ability befitting of a striker who loves to score goals. Suarez has already amassed 300 goals in his career, and with a strike rate of a goal less than every two games (47 in 90 matches) at international level, the 30-year-old is an invaluable part of Oscar Tabarez's plans. Uruguay's all-time leading scorer will undoubtedly play his part in the remaining World Cup Qualifying matches, and although Betway believe La Celeste are as good as through to Russia 2018, there is still time for Suarez to be the hero once again and secure his country's place at the World Cup.

Suarez is undoubtedly enjoying life with La Liga giants Barcelona, with the Uruguay star forming a formidable partnership upfront with Lionel Messi and Neymar. The 'MSN' trio have ran riot in recent years through their telepathic understanding and goal-scoring exploits that usually see them score over a hundred goals a season. Suarez's decision to leave English Premier League side Liverpool for Catalonia has proven to be the right one, with the striker picking up eight trophies in just three years at the Nou Camp compared to the English League Cup that was his only achievement at Anfield, despite being heralded as a fan's favourite.

It came as a surprise to many that Suarez was not voted in the top three for the 2016 Ballon D'or, let alone winning the award himself after he was instrumental in Barcelona winning the domestic treble (La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Spanish Super Cup). Many of his fans believe that his past misdemeanours counted against him, even though Suarez also won the European Golden Shoe, La Liga Pichichi and Copa Del Rey top scorer awards as goals came at a regular rate throughout 2016. The personal setback has not held Suarez back, with the striker scoring ten goals in his first twelve appearances of 2017 as he has set about proving his doubters wrong with a number of inspired performances. Barcelona, who have agree a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with Japanese e-commerce giants Rakuten which begins this summer, are certainly rated as strong contenders in La Liga and the Champions League with Betway Sports, and if Suarez remains in the same vein of form between now and the end of May, then it will take something special to stop Luis Enrique's side.

The time Suarez spent away from the Uruguay national team fold after his two-year ban has certainly been beneficial for all concerned, with the player himself promising to behave in a more professional manner on the pitch. Scoring on his return against Brazil proves just how valuable the striker is to Uruguay, and although fellow countryman and close friend Edinson Cavani is also enjoying a wonderful season in front of goal for Paris Saint-Germain, Suarez offers a real threat every time he pulls on the famous Celeste shirt. Despite turning 30 in January, the striker still has a number of years at the top of world football to look forward to, and although he is already valued as one of the best players in Uruguay's history, Suarez still has plenty of unfinished business on the pitch.