Sportskeeda Football Awards 2016: 10 best footballers of the year 2016 - Part 2 - #5 to #1

#3 Luis Suarez

First man since Diego Forlan in 2009 to win the Pichichi

To become the first player to win the Pichichi since the Messi-Ronaldo era of domination began (in 2009) is no mean feat in itself and the Uruguayan can proudly claim to be the one to end the duopoly – if only briefly.

Suarez was instrumental in what Barcelona did achieve in 2016 – which includes La Liga and the Copa Del Rey, carrying the team on his back in the absence of their talisman – Lionel Messi. Not only that, he scored some truly spectacular goals in the process.

To put things into perspective, Suarez notched up 51 goals and 31 assists in the calendar year – a feat only surpassed by Messi who has 91 goals and assists. Not even the Ballon d’Or winner could match his overall contribution, however, the Portuguese did score more goals than him.