Calcio Compleanno: David Suazo

1938: Cesar Luis Menotti (71) – Trenchcoat-wearing, chain-smoking Argentinean coach of the side that lifted the unforgettable 1978 World Cup – the first in the nation’s history. Played for 10 years at a host of different South American clubs, including Rosario, Boca Juniors and Santos, before coaching Huracan for a season in 1972 and then the national team from 1974-1982. Later coached the likes of Barcelona, Boca, River Plate and Mexico, whilst he also spent a brief period in 1997 with Sampdoria in Serie A.

1954: Vincenzo D’Amico (55) – Lazio youth product, who was a key midfielder of the side that went from Serie B in 1972 to winning the Scudetto just two seasons later. Appeared for the first time on May 25, 1972, as the Biancocelesti edged out Modena 2-1 to lift the title, whilst his first appearance in the top flight came over a year later, when he took part in his side’s 1-0 win at home to Sampdoria. Despite a one year stint with Torino in 1980/81, D’Amico played 266 times for the Aquile until 1985, scoring 39 times along the way. Finished his career with Ternana from 1986-1988.

1961: Andrea Manzo (48) – Was touted as a potential star of the future, having been apart of the Italian Under-20 side that went on to lift the World Cup at that level in 1981. Earned a move to Sampdoria from Fiorentina after that tournament. However, he was back with the Viola the following season, before being picked up by Milan, where he would only manage 47 appearances from 1983-1987. After a further two years in Serie A with Udinese, he spent the remaining decade of his career in the lower levels of the peninsula.

1964: Abedi Pele (45) – Ghanaian hitman who made his mark with Marseille 10 years into his career, where he won three French Ligue 1 titles, as well as a Champions League in 1993 with a somewhat fortunate victory over Milan in the final. After playing with Lyon in the following season, the pint-sized attacker earned a move to Italy and spent two years at Torino. Despite scoring 13 times in 49 appearances, the Granata were relegated in his final season with the club, causing him to move on. Made 73 appearances and scored 33 goals with the Ghana national team between 1981-1998 and was a part of the side that lifted the 1992 African Cup in Libya.

1979: David Suazo (30) – Honduran international who was a prolific attacker for Cagliari from 1999-2007, where he scored 94 times in 255 appearances. His efforts with the club, who he guided to the top flight in 2004 were enough to earn him a move to Inter where his form took a bit of a dip, he scored just eight times in his first season. He was loaned out to Benfica last term though, before returning to the Nerazzurri in the summer. Has made 45 appearances for the Honduras national team, scoring 15 times since 1998.

Adrian Del Monte, Goal.com