Luis Suárez announced his retirement from the Uruguay national football team at a news conference today, revealing that he will step back from international duty following his team’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday. The former Liverpool and Barcelona forward, currently playing for Inter Miami in MLS, leaves as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances over 17 years.
“There is no greater pride than knowing when the right moment to retire is, and I feel confident in my decision to step aside,” an emotional Suárez stated during the conference. At 37, he acknowledged the difficulties of reaching the next World Cup and expressed relief that he is retiring on his own terms rather than due to injuries or being overlooked for selection.
“It is a tough decision, but I leave with the satisfaction of having given my all until the last game. I felt the flame was still burning brightly, and that’s why I chose to make this decision now,” he shared.
Suárez made his senior debut for Uruguay on February 8, 2007, in a 3-1 victory over Colombia and quickly became a key player for the team. By 2010, he participated in 19 of the 20 qualifying matches to help Uruguay secure a place in the World Cup in South Africa.
In that tournament, Suárez played a crucial role, starting in five of Uruguay’s six matches. He gained notoriety during the quarterfinal against Ghana for a last-minute handball that allowed Ghana a chance to win the match with a penalty. While he was sent off, Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty allowed Uruguay to progress via a penalty shootout.
Defending his actions, Suárez still refers to it as “the best save of the tournament.” He continued to represent Uruguay in three additional World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022, as well as in multiple Copa Américas.
During the 2011 Copa América, Suárez significantly impacted the tournament, scoring the opening goal in the final against Paraguay, leading Uruguay to its 15th major title, and earning MVP honors for his performance with four goals and two assists.
“I was fortunate to win many titles, but I wouldn’t trade the Copa América title for anything,” Suárez remarked, reflecting on the 2011 win as the highlight of his career.
His last international appearance came in the 2024 Copa América third place match against Canada, where he contributed a penalty in the shootout to secure a victory for his team.
Suárez joined Inter Miami ahead of the 2024 MLS season, teaming up with stars like Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. He has been in remarkable form, scoring twice in the recent 4-1 win against Chicago Fire FC, bringing his season total to 16 goals.