Every word that Luis Suazo utters exudes genuine affection for Honduras, even as his Spanish betrays a slight Italian tinge. The teenager has both of his parents to thank for this accent, as he was born in Cagliari to an Italian mother while his dad – David – was lining up in Serie A; Suazo Sr would make more than 300 appearances in the country in total, including 158 in the top flight.
The 17-year-old learned his trade in the nation of his birth before upping sticks for Portugal to join Braga in July and is following in his father’s footsteps at international level, having established himself as one of Los Catrachos’ brightest prospects. Luis operates mainly on the left side of the attack and admires the clean pair of heels that his dad showcased as a forward.
Drawing on the lessons and experiences passed down to him, this chip off the old block is itching to do both his family and his fatherland proud at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, which is set to kick off on Monday. Boasting all the nous of a seasoned performer, the starlet spoke to FIFA just a few days before an eagerly anticipated Group H curtain-raiser for La Bicolor against Brazil
Luis Suazo: There’s always a bit of tension. It’s been a long time since Honduras last featured at the U-17 World Cup, so that nervous energy is normal. We’re working hard and training really well, and I think we’ll head into it in great shape. We had a flawless qualifying campaign and our preparations over recent weeks have been good, so I believe we can do really well.
The support stems from our team-mates, the staff and the Honduran people. The fans are so passionate and show that they’re right behind us, which helps us go into matches with a different mindset, as we’re being supported by an entire nation.
I’ve been playing that fixture out in my head for a long time. You don’t get to face Brazil every day. They’re an amazing team with so much pedigree and so many trophies. Facing them is a huge challenge, as they have great players and put in a shift, and it’s exciting to test ourselves against the South American champions. It’ll be a good contest, and we’ll go out there with our own style and a winning mentality.
Our mindset is to go out there to win every game, whether it’s against Brazil, Zambia or Indonesia. Granted, Brazil are a top side, but we’ll be targeting victory against them all.
My dad retired when I was five years old, but I’ve seen lots of photos and videos. Football has been a massive part of my life since I was young. I loved watching him play, especially with his speed, which set him apart. There weren’t many players who were that fast back then, and it amazed me to see him sprinting across every blade of grass. I try to do that sometimes too, but he was definitely quicker!
When I was little, I played just because I was taken there and enjoyed it. My school friends played too, so I wanted to. When you’re that age, you play to be with your friends and have fun.
As I got older and things got tougher, I realised how much I wanted to stay in football. It’s easy to say you want to be a footballer when everything’s going swimmingly, but it’s less rosy when you face injuries or difficult moments. When the going gets tough, your passion has to shine through.
It was incredible because I made my debut at the Estadio Morazan in Honduras in front of such a big crowd. When I scored a hat-trick on my second appearance, the fans went crazy. Honduran fans support you with the same passion whether it’s the senior side or a youth national team. It’s impossible to describe the feeling when I took to the pitch.
I’d often visit Honduras when I was little, and it’s always been part of my life. My dad was born there, and I’ve always been a regular visitor. I’m constantly in touch with the whole family in Honduras, from my grandparents to my uncles, aunts and cousins. They always make me feel very much part of our big family, even if I haven’t seen them for a while. Every time I go back, it feels special and just like a gift.
I’m thrilled to be in Qatar. I’ve been thinking about this tournament ever since we qualified. These are big games, watched by many people. It’s never easy because there’s increased pressure, but with the help of my team-mates, the coaching staff and the whole country, I believe we can achieve something wonderful.
We have to focus on getting through the group stage first. After that, you never know what the path might look like, but we can’t think too far ahead. We need to focus on our own journey and try to beat whoever lies in our way.
When we talk football, he always tells me to keep calm and just go out there and enjoy myself. He reminds me that nothing happens by chance and that you’ve got to graft. Above all, he tells me to stay relaxed and that things will come together if I keep working hard. He helps me in so many ways because he’s already been there and done it all before.
