Sofia Balbi was born on October 11, 1989, in Uruguay. She is best known as the wife of Uruguayan professional footballer Luis Suárez. The couple met in 2001 when they were both teenagers. At the time, Suárez came from a modest background and worked various jobs, including street sweeping, while Sofia belonged to a middle-class Uruguayan family. Despite their differing socioeconomic backgrounds, their relationship blossomed with the full support of Sofia’s family. They often invited Suárez to their home, and they played an instrumental role in encouraging him to pursue a professional career in football.
Sofia’s brother, Gonzalo Balbi, is also involved in professional football. He has played as a defender and midfielder for several clubs, including KR Reykjavík in Iceland. Previously, he participated in the Spanish lower leagues with Terassa CF and Cornella Jugend. Although he never played in the UEFA Champions League, he did compete in qualifying rounds while representing his team, though they did not advance to the main stage.
Several years into their relationship, Sofia relocated to Barcelona, Spain, with her family. Her move inspired Suárez to strengthen his determination to succeed in football, aspiring to join a European club to reunite with her. In 2006, Suárez was signed by FC Groningen in the Netherlands, marking the beginning of his European career. Upon his arrival, he took time off to visit Sofia. Their relationship continued to grow, and the couple married in 2009.
The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Delfina, on August 5, 2010. Their second child, son Benjamin, was born in September 2013. During a match, Suárez commemorated Benjamin's birth by revealing a shirt with his photo during a goal celebration. During Luis Suárez's tenure at Liverpool FC, Delfina spent enough time in the UK to develop a slight Scouse accent. Interestingly, her name, Delfina, is an anagram of "Anfield," the historic home stadium of Liverpool Football Club.
