Luis Suárez announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team during a news conference today. He plans to step away 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, concludes his international career as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, with 69 goals in 142 appearances over a span of 17 years.
“I feel immense pride in knowing when the right moment to retire is, and I’m confident that I am stepping aside for the right reasons,” an emotional Suárez expressed. “At 37 years old, I recognize the challenges ahead in reaching another World Cup. It brings me comfort that my retirement is a personal choice rather than a result of injuries or not being selected.”
He added, “Making this decision was tough, but I have peace of mind knowing that I gave my all until the last match. I didn’t want to fade away slowly; I realized it was time to go.”
Suárez made his senior debut for Uruguay on February 8, 2007, in a victory over Colombia and quickly became a key player. By 2010, he participated in nearly all World Cup qualifying matches, securing a place for La Celeste in the South Africa tournament.
He played a crucial role in his first of four World Cups, starting five of Uruguay’s six matches. An infamous moment occurred during the quarterfinal against Ghana, where he was sent off for a handball, giving Ghana a chance to win with a penalty. However, Asamoah Gyan’s miss allowed Uruguay to advance through a penalty shootout.
Suárez continues to regard that controversial decision as “the best save of the tournament.” He went on to represent Uruguay in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, along with various Copa América tournaments.
In the 2011 Copa América, he scored the opening goal in the final against Paraguay, leading to Uruguay’s 15th major title. That year, he tallied four goals and two assists, earning the tournament’s MVP award.
“I was fortunate to win many titles, but the Copa América title holds a special place in my heart. It was the most beautiful moment of my professional career,” Suárez remarked.
His last international appearance was in the 2024 Copa América third-place match against Canada, where he found the net during the shootout.
Suárez joined the star-studded Inter Miami team, featuring Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, at the start of the 2024 MLS season, where he has been performing notably. Recently, he scored twice in a 4-1 victory against Chicago Fire FC, bringing his season total to 16 goals.