SAO PAULO (AP) – The most important figure in Uruguay’s victory against England on Thursday didn’t score any goals or provide any assists.
His name is Walter Ferreira. He’S the 62-year-old physiotherapist for the Uruguayan national team and he has spent the last month working on Luis Suarez’s left knee. In Uruguay, they call him the “miracle man”.
After scoring the first of his two goals in the 2-1 win against England at Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians stadium, Suarez made straight for the Uruguayan bench. He sought out Ferreira, embraced him and signaling to the crowd he urged them to appreciate his importance.
Suarez was especially grateful to Ferreira, to whom he expressed heartfelt thanks, when speaking to reporters after the game. Later he repeated his gratitude in a YouTube video, recorded in the Uruguayan changing room.
“There are people who know how crucial it was for me to have their support. If it wasn’t for him (Ferreira) I would not have been here today,” said Suarez, who despite suffering from cramp in the later stages, scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute.