Luis Suárez has officially announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team during a news conference today. He revealed that he will step away from international responsibilities following his team’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday.
The former star of Liverpool and Barcelona, who is 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 the span of 17 years.
Suárez, 37, shared his reflections on his decision, expressing, “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.” He added that while the decision was not easy, retiring now allows him to leave the game on his terms, without being sidelined by injuries or lack of selection.
His international career began on February 8, 2007, during a 3-1 victory against Colombia, where he quickly became a vital player for the national team. He played a significant role in securing Uruguay’s place in the 2010 World Cup, participating in 19 of the qualification matches.
Suárez was a key player for Uruguay in several World Cups, starting five matches in the 2010 tournament. His infamous handball in the quarterfinal against Ghana is still remembered; he was sent off, but his actions led to Ghana missing the penalty kick, ultimately allowing Uruguay to advance after a penalty shootout.
Despite the controversy, Suárez defends his decision, calling it “the best save of the tournament.” He continued to represent Uruguay in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, as well as numerous Copa América tournaments.
In 2011, he significantly contributed to Uruguay’s Copa América victory, scoring the opening goal in the final against Paraguay and earning the tournament’s MVP title.
He reflected on his career, expressing that winning the Copa América in 2011 was the highlight of his professional journey, stating, “I would not change the Copa América title for anything in the world.”
His final international match came during the 2024 Copa América where he scored in the penalty shootout against Canada.
Suárez joined Inter Miami before the 2024 MLS season, contributing to the team’s success alongside stars like Lionel Messi. He scored twice in Miami’s recent 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC, bringing his season total to 16 goals.