David Suazo stands as one of Honduras’ most celebrated soccer exports who made his mark in Italian football.
Known by the nicknames “La Pantera” (The Panther) and “El Rey David” (King David), the retired striker spent over a decade dominating Serie A with his lightning speed and goal-scoring prowess.
In this article, you will know David Suazo’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
David Suazo’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Óscar David Suazo Velázquez |
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1979 |
| Age | 46 years |
| Nationality | Honduran, Italian (naturalized) |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | N/A |
| Turned Pro | 1997 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5-8 million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | Approximately $15-20 million (career total) |
| Wife | Elisa Secchi (married in 2005) |
Early Career
David Suazo’s soccer journey began in his hometown of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where he developed his skills alongside his cousin Maynor Suazo, who also represented the national team.
He took his first steps at Olimpia Reserves before progressing through the Liga Bancaria system. His breakthrough came after an impressive showing at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, which earned him a spot on Olimpia’s senior squad before he turned 20 years old.
Under the guidance of legendary coach Angel Ramón Paz, Suazo quickly established himself as a promising talent in Honduran football.
His performances with Olimpia caught the attention of international scouts, particularly after he helped the club secure the Honduran Liga Nacional title in the 1998-99 season.
The young striker’s combination of raw speed, technical ability, and natural goal-scoring instinct set him apart from his peers and opened doors to European football opportunities that would define his career.
Professional Career
Suazo’s European adventure started when Italian coach Óscar Tabárez brought him to Cagliari for a $2 million transfer fee in 1999. Though Cagliari suffered relegation to Serie B in his first season, Suazo became a cornerstone of the club’s resurgence.
He scored 94 league goals in 255 appearances for Cagliari, helping them return to Serie A and establishing himself as one of Italy’s deadliest strikers. His exceptional 2005-06 campaign, where he netted 22 league goals, earned him the Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year award.
Italian giants Internazionale secured his signature in June 2007 for €14 million, fulfilling his promise to coach Roberto Mancini despite last-minute interest from AC Milan.
At Inter, Suazo won multiple trophies including two Serie A titles, the UEFA Champions League in 2009-10, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2010. However, injuries limited his impact, leading to loan spells at Benfica and Genoa.
He finished his playing career with Catania in 2011-12 before announcing his retirement in March 2013 at age 33 due to persistent knee problems. Suazo then transitioned to coaching, managing Brescia and Carbonia while serving as a scout and assistant coach for Cagliari.
Wife
David Suazo married Italian woman Elisa Secchi in 2005, and their union granted him Italian citizenship. The couple built their life together in Italy, where Suazo spent the majority of his professional career. They have two sons who both inherited their father’s passion for soccer.
Their eldest son, David Edoardo, was born in 2005 and has followed in his father’s footsteps as a striker. He made his senior debut in 2025 with Sardinian club Monastir before moving to Serie C club Team Altamura.
Their younger son, Luis Gabriel, was born in 2008 and joined Juventus’s Under-15 team in 2022 before transferring to Portuguese club Braga in 2025.
English newspaper The Guardian recognized Luis as one of the best players born in 2008 worldwide, suggesting the Suazo soccer legacy continues through the next generation.
David Suazo’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Suazo’s estimated net worth stands between $5-8 million, accumulated primarily through his 15-year professional soccer career in Italy and subsequent coaching roles.
Contract
Suazo’s most significant contract came when Internazionale signed him from Cagliari in June 2007 for a transfer fee of €14 million, making it one of the highest transfers for a Honduran player at that time.
The deal sparked controversy when AC Milan briefly claimed they had secured his services, but Suazo honored his verbal agreement with Inter coach Roberto Mancini out of respect and professionalism.
His Inter contract ran through June 2011, though injuries significantly impacted his playing time during the latter years. During his loan spell at Benfica for the 2008-09 season, the Portuguese club covered his wages as part of the temporary arrangement.
Salary
During his peak years at Cagliari from 2004-2007, Suazo earned an estimated annual salary of €800,000 to €1.2 million, reflecting his status as one of Serie A’s top foreign strikers.
His move to Internazionale in 2007 significantly boosted his earnings, with reports suggesting his annual salary ranged between €2 million and €3 million during his time with the Italian champions.
The loan spells at Benfica and Genoa maintained similar wage levels, though performance bonuses were limited due to reduced playing time.
Career Earnings
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1997-1999 | Olimpia | $50,000 |
| 1999-2000 | Cagliari | $300,000 |
| 2000-2004 | Cagliari | $400,000 |
| 2004-2007 | Cagliari | $1,000,000 |
| 2007-2008 | Inter Milan | $2,500,000 |
| 2008-2009 | Benfica (loan) | $2,200,000 |
| 2009-2010 | Inter Milan/Genoa | $2,000,000 |
| 2010-2011 | Inter Milan | $2,500,000 |
| 2011-2012 | Catania | $500,000 |
Career Stats
| Club | Season | League Apps | League Goals | Cup Apps | Cup Goals | Continental Apps | Continental Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olimpia | 1997-99 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 |
| Cagliari | 1999-07 | 255 | 94 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 276 | 102 |
| Inter Milan | 2007-11 | 27 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 39 | 10 |
| Benfica | 2008-09 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 5 |
| Genoa | 2009-10 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 |
| Catania | 2011-12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Career Total | 314 | 114 | 24 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 348 | 123 |
FAQs
1. What is David Suazo doing?
David Suazo currently works in Italian football as a coach and scout after retiring from professional play. He previously managed Serie B club Brescia and Serie D side Carbonia from 2021-2022, while also serving in scouting and assistant coaching roles at his former club Cagliari.
2. How many trophies did David Suazo win with Inter Milan?
Suazo won six major trophies during his time at Inter Milan including two Serie A titles (2007-08, 2009-10), the UEFA Champions League (2009-10), the FIFA Club World Cup (2010), the Coppa Italia (2009-10), and the Supercoppa Italiana (2010), making his spell at Inter highly successful despite injury struggles.
3. Why did David Suazo retire from professional soccer?
Suazo announced his retirement on March 27, 2013, at age 33 due to persistent knee injuries that plagued the final years of his career. These injuries limited his playing time at Inter Milan and prevented him from securing another contract after his deal with Catania expired.
4. What made David Suazo such an effective striker during his prime?
His incredible speed and acceleration made him one of the fastest players in Serie A during his era, allowing him to excel on counter-attacks and create scoring opportunities. Combined with his physical strength, technical ability, leadership qualities as Cagliari’s captain, and proficiency with penalties and free kicks, he became a complete forward.
5. Is David Suazo related to other professional soccer players?
His brothers Nicolás and Ruben Suazo both played professional soccer, while his cousins Maynor Suazo and Hendry Thomas represented Honduras internationally. His sons David Edoardo and Luis Gabriel are now pursuing professional careers, with Luis recognized by The Guardian as one of the world’s best players.
