Luis Suárez officially announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team during a press conference today, confirming that he will conclude his international career following the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday. The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker, currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), leaves as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 69 goals in 142 appearances over 17 years.
In an emotional statement, Suárez expressed, “There is no better pride in oneself than knowing when the right moment to retire is, and luckily I am confident that I am retiring from the national team because I want to take a step aside.” At the age of 37, he acknowledged the challenges of competing in another World Cup and emphasized his desire to retire on his own terms, rather than due to injuries or being left out of the squad.
Suárez reflected on his journey, stating, “It is difficult because the decision was not easy. But I go with the peace of mind that until the last game I gave my all.” He made his senior debut for Uruguay on February 8, 2007, in a match against Colombia and quickly became a key player. In the 2010 World Cup, he played a vital role in securing Uruguay’s place, famously committing a handball in the quarterfinals against Ghana that led to a penalty miss and ultimately allowed Uruguay to advance.
Throughout his career, Suárez participated in four World Cups and several Copa Américas, including an MVP performance in the 2011 tournament where he contributed significantly to Uruguay’s victory. His final international appearance was during the 2024 Copa América where he scored in a penalty shootout.
Currently thriving at Inter Miami, Suárez has integrated into a star-studded team alongside Lionel Messi and others, and recently scored twice in a match against Chicago Fire FC, bringing his season total to 16 goals.