You can take Luis Suarez out of the big leagues, but you can't take the big league out of Luis Suarez.
While his days on football's grandest stages may be over, the Uruguayan continues to treat every match with equal importance after reminding the world of his peerless s***housery. And that means sinking to depths other simply won't if it means gaining the slightest edge over one's opponent.
Even at 36 years of age, the former Liverpool and Barcelona frontman is willing to toe the line of gamesmanship in the name of winning. Fans have even dubbed him the 'Eddie Guerrero of football' following this latest dubious act, which took place in a Brazilian league clash between Gremio and Cruzeiro.
Having already scored the opener for his side at the Arena do Gremio, Suarez took umbrage with a challenge on the stroke of half-time. Receiving little sympathy from the officials at first, 'El Pistolero' screamed in appeal while pointing to his right boot, ensuring he remained on the field to prevent play from continuing.
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Prolonging the pantomime, Suarez – who left Atletico Madrid last year to return to South America – proceeded to pop off his boot in an attempt to force the referee to take notice. However, Cruzeiro full-back Marlon was wise to his tricks and scooped up the footwear before chucking it to the side of the pitch.
That was inspiration enough to inspire a miraculous recovery on Suarez's part, with the striker leaping to his feet having sensed an opportunity to land an opponent in it. And (of course) his plan worked to perfection as Marlon was swiftly cautioned for his crimes, despite his best efforts to ensure the referee kept his cards in his pocket.
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One can see the similarities between the Uruguay icon and late wrestling legend Guerrero, who was famed for his mastery of the dark arts during his time in WWE. 'Latino Heat' was supremely skilled in skulduggery and often got his best work done when the referee's backs were turned.
Guerrero – who died in 2005 – would also revel in planting evidence against his opponents, using a referee distraction to feign injury and plant a weapon at his foe's feet. This would in turn land the enemy in hot water, though Marlon was perhaps slightly more complicity in his own punishment against Gremio.
That being said, Suarez was only too happy to ramp up the pressure on the official to hand out a card, storming over before gesturing for as much. And the veteran got away scot-free as his side ran out 3-0 victors at home.
The same man whose infamous handball at the 2010 World Cup kept Uruguay in the running while sending Ghana home is still up to the same tricks 13 years on. And it appears to be working after he helped Gremio win their state league title last term, with the club now third in the Brasileiro Serie A and on track to qualify for the Copa Libertadores.
Don't fix it if it isn't broke, after all, and Suarez continues to reap the benefits of his underhanded ways almost two decades on from his pro debut at Nacional.
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