Luis Suárez announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team during a news conference today, stating that he will step back from international play following his team’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona forward, currently with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, leaves as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, recording 69 goals in 142 appearances over a 17-year career.
“There is no greater pride than knowing when it is the right moment to retire, and I feel confident in my decision to step aside from the national team,” an emotional Suárez shared at the announcement. “At 37 years old, I understand that reaching another World Cup is very difficult. It comforts me that I am retiring on my own terms, rather than due to injuries or being left out of the squad.”
Suárez emphasized that while the decision was challenging, he feels ready to take this step and is at peace with his choice. “Until the last game, I gave my all, and the flame didn’t burn out slowly, which is why I believe now is the right time.”
Suárez made his senior debut for Uruguay on February 8, 2007, in a 3-1 win over Colombia, quickly becoming essential to the national team. By 2010, he participated in 19 of the 20 qualifying matches that secured Uruguay’s spot at the World Cup in South Africa.
He played a critical role in his first World Cup, starting five of the team’s six matches. Notably, during the quarterfinal against Ghana, Suárez committed a controversial handball that resulted in a missed penalty for Ghana. Uruguay won the match in a penalty shootout, and Suárez still defends his actions, calling it “the best save of the tournament.”
In addition to his four World Cups in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022, he competed in several Copa América tournaments, including in 2011, where he scored the opening goal in the final against Paraguay, leading Uruguay to its 15th major tournament victory. He earned four goals and two assists that tournament, receiving the MVP title.
“I was fortunate to win many titles, but I would not trade the Copa América win for anything,” Suárez stated. “That 2011 trophy represented the most beautiful moment of my professional career.”
His final international appearance was during the 2024 Copa América match for third place against Canada, where he converted a penalty in the shootout to help secure victory for his team.
Suárez has been excelling at Inter Miami alongside stars like Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, scoring twice in their latest match against Chicago Fire FC, bringing his season total to 16 goals.