Luis Suárez has announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team during a press conference today, confirming that he will step down from international duty following his team’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay this Friday.
The former star player of Liverpool and Barcelona, now with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), leaves his role as Uruguay’s all-time top scorer, amassing 69 goals in 142 appearances over an impressive 17-year career.
In an emotional address, the 37-year-old expressed his pride in knowing the right moment to retire. “I am confident that I am retiring from the national team because I want to take a step aside,” Suárez stated. He acknowledged the difficulty of reaching another World Cup and expressed relief at retiring on his own terms, rather than due to injuries or lack of selection.
“I go with the peace of mind that until the last game I gave my all,” he added, explaining that although the decision was not easy, it felt appropriate at this time.
Suárez made his senior debut for Uruguay on February 8, 2007, in a match against Colombia and quickly became a key player for the team. By 2010, he participated in nearly all World Cup qualifying matches, helping secure a spot in the South African tournament.
In that World Cup, Suárez played a crucial role, starting five of Uruguay’s six matches. He is notably remembered for committing an infamous handball during the quarterfinal against Ghana, an act that led to a missed penalty and ultimately, Uruguay’s advancement in the tournament after a penalty shootout victory.
He continues to defend that moment, describing it as “the best save of the tournament.” Suárez participated in three more World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022, as well as several Copa América tournaments, where he enjoyed significant success.
In the 2011 Copa América, he scored a goal in the final against Paraguay, contributing to Uruguay’s victory and earning MVP honors for the tournament. “I would not change the Copa América title for anything in the world,” he remarked, recalling it as the pinnacle of his career.
Suárez’s last international appearance was during the 2024 Copa América third-place match against Canada, where he succeeded in scoring a penalty in the shootout that helped secure victory for his team.
In MLS, Suárez joined a star-studded Inter Miami team that includes Lionel Messi. He has been performing well this season, scoring two goals in a recent 4-1 win over Chicago Fire FC, bringing his total to 16 goals for the season.