In a poignant announcement, Uruguayan football legend Luis Suárez has revealed that he will play his last game for the national team in the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at Centenario Stadium this Friday. Suárez, who has been the face of Uruguayan football for nearly two decades, expressed his emotions and reasons behind his decision in a tearful press conference on Monday night.
Debuting for the national team in 2007, Suárez has had an illustrious career spanning 17 years. He is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with an impressive record of 69 goals in 142 matches. His tenure has seen him participate in four World Cups and five Copa America tournaments. Notably, he played a crucial role in Uruguay’s 2011 Copa America victory, scoring twice in the semifinals and the decisive goal in the final, earning him the title of the tournament’s best player.
“It hurts to say it, but Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” Suárez said, struggling to hold back tears. “I am retiring because I want to step aside. I am 37 years old, there are a lot of talented players, and I know it would be difficult to get to the next World Cup. It is comforting to know I can retire on my terms and not have to retire due to injuries or not being called up. I want to say goodbye here, with my people. This is the ideal moment.”
Reflecting on his career, Suárez mentioned that his final game would be played with the same passion and excitement as his first appearance at just 19 years old. “It’s very difficult, but I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team. I will be just as excited as I was for my first national team appearance in 2007.”
Throughout his career, Suárez has been no stranger to both triumphs and controversies. His most memorable moment of both glory and infamy came during the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals against Ghana.
. Suárez blocked a certain goal with his hand in extra time, resulting in a red card. Ghana missed the ensuing penalty, and Uruguay advanced to the semifinals for the first time in four decades after winning the shootout. While hailed as a hero in Uruguay, the football world had mixed reactions to his actions.
Then in 2014, Suárez became a focal point again during the World Cup when he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in a group stage match. It was the third biting incident of his career, leading to a historic nine-game ban by FIFA, the longest in World Cup history. “My fear has always been that my lasting image for my children and all Uruguayan fans would be of 2014,” Suárez admitted. “I have gotten past that, and I hope the people have also moved on, remembering the great moments and accomplishments we achieved together at Copas America and World Cups.”
Suárez reached a century of caps at the 2018 World Cup and was named Man of the Match twice as Uruguay advanced to the quarter-finals. However, their 2022 World Cup campaign was less successful, as the team failed to progress from the group stages.
The striker, whose club career has been equally distinguished, will continue to play for Inter Miami, a club he has suggested will be his last. Over the years, Suárez has made his mark in European football with remarkable tenures at clubs such as Barcelona, Liverpool, Ajax, and Atletico Madrid. His prowess in front of goal and his fiery competitive spirit have left an indelible mark wherever he has played.
Luis Suárez’s impending retirement has generated immense attention and emotion among football aficionados worldwide, particularly in Uruguay where he has been a cultural icon. “Now, I am a veteran, an older player, whatever you want to call it, with an incredible history with the national team, and I will give my life for the team on Friday,” Suárez concluded, ensuring that his final game would be one for the history books.
As fans await his final appearance in the celestial blue jersey of La Celeste, there is a collective sense of gratitude and celebration for a career that has given so much to the sport and the nation of Uruguay. Suárez’s legacy, marked by tenacity, skill, and emotional highs and lows, will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Uruguayan footballers.
With inputs from Associated Press (AP), this report reflects the emotions and anticipations surrounding Luis Suárez’s final bow on the international stage, capturing the essence of a storied career that shaped modern Uruguayan football.
