Luis Suarez, the renowned Uruguayan forward, announced his retirement from international football on Monday, marking the end of a remarkable career. At the age of 37, Suarez expressed his decision with tears, stating that his final game with the national team would be the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay on Friday at Estadio Centenario, Uruguay’s historical stadium. Reflecting on his retirement, Suarez explained, “I’ve been thinking about this and analyzing this. I believe this is the right time.” He emphasized his desire to approach his last game with the national team in a relaxed manner, reminiscing about his excitement when he first played for Uruguay in 2007.
Suarez leaves behind an impressive legacy as Uruguay’s all-time top scorer, with 69 goals in 142 appearances over his 14-year international career. He last represented his country in the 2024 Copa America third-place play-off against Canada, where he scored a crucial equalizer in the 92nd minute and successfully converted his penalty in the shootout, securing a third-place finish for Uruguay. However, he was not included in the game-day roster for Uruguay’s recent friendly against Guatemala.
Throughout his career, Suarez participated in nine major tournaments and played a pivotal role in Uruguay’s victory at the 2011 Copa America. His standout performance in the tournament earned him the title of Player of the Tournament, as he scored four goals, including crucial strikes in the semi-finals and final. This triumph marked Uruguay’s 15th Copa America victory and their first since 1995.
Suarez’s journey in international football began in 2007 when he made his senior debut against Colombia. In the 2010 World Cup, he showcased his skills by scoring three goals in six appearances, including a brace in the round of 16 against South Korea. However, it was his infamous handball incident in the quarter-finals against Ghana that attracted widespread attention. With the game tied in the final minute of extra time, Suarez intentionally blocked a goal-bound effort with his hand, leading to a red card. Ghana missed the resulting penalty, and Uruguay advanced to the semi-finals.
The 2014 World Cup brought further controversy for Suarez when he bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during a group stage match. This incident resulted in a nine-game ban from international football, preventing him from participating in the rest of the tournament and the subsequent Copa America in 2015. It was the third biting incident of his career, following previous suspensions for similar actions while playing for Ajax and Liverpool.
Despite these challenging moments, Suarez expressed no regrets during his retirement press conference. He acknowledged the difficulties he faced, particularly after his mistake in 2014, but stated, “There’s nothing that I would reproach.” He returned to international football to help Uruguay qualify for the 2018 World Cup, where he scored twice as his team reached the quarter-finals.
In the years that followed, Suarez continued to represent Uruguay in major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup and the 2019, 2021, and 2024 Copa America. However, his role in this summer’s Copa America was primarily limited to substitute appearances under coach Marcelo Bielsa. Despite the reduced playing time, Suarez made a significant impact by scoring once in the third-place play-off.
Currently, Suarez plays for Inter Miami, having joined the club in 2023. He remains a key player for the team, leading them in goals this season with 16, which is also the third-highest tally in the league. As he embarks on this new chapter of his career, Suarez leaves an indelible mark on international football, showcasing his on-field genius while also being one of the most divisive players in the world of soccer.
In conclusion, Luis Suarez’s retirement from international football marks the end of a remarkable journey for one of Uruguay’s greatest players. Despite the controversies that surrounded him throughout his career, Suarez’s accomplishments and contributions to the national team cannot be denied. With his departure, Uruguay bids farewell to an icon who will forever be remembered as a prolific goal scorer and a passionate representative of his country.