In a heart-wrenching announcement that brought tears to his eyes, legendary Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez has confirmed his retirement from international football. The 37-year-old talisman, who boasts an illustrious 17-year career, revealed that the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at Centenario Stadium will mark his final appearance for La Celeste.
Suárez, who has been a pivotal figure for Uruguay since his debut in 2007, retires as the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 matches. He has participated in four World Cups and five Copa America tournaments, cementing his legacy as one of the most formidable strikers in football history.
“It hurts to say it, but Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” said a visibly emotional Suárez at a press conference late Monday. Struggling to contain his tears, he added, “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.”
In a tweet from the Uruguayan national team’s official account, Suárez reiterated his sentiments, saying, “It will be my last game with La Celeste.” This declaration underscores his desire to bow out on his own terms rather than being forced out due to injuries or lack of call-ups. “It is comforting to know I can retire on my terms and not have to retire due to injuries, or to not being called up. I want to say goodbye here, with my people. This is the ideal moment,” he declared.
Throughout his career, Suárez has been a player of remarkable achievements and notorious controversies. His heroics at the 2011 Copa America, in which he scored twice in the semifinals and netted the winning goal in the final, earned him the tournament’s Best Player award. Reflecting on his impending retirement, Suárez said, “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 when I was a 19-year-old kid. 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.
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Suárez’s international career has not been without its share of controversies. One of the most unforgettable moments came during the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals when he used his hand to block a goal-bound shot from Ghana in extra time, resulting in a red card. Ghana missed the subsequent penalty kick, and Uruguay advanced to the semifinals after winning the penalty shootout, marking their first appearance in the last four in 40 years. Suárez was hailed as a hero back home, but his notoriety reached new heights during the 2014 World Cup when he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini, an incident that earned him a nine-game ban from 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 forgotten and they are left with all the great moments I lived in our stadium, with all the things our team accomplished, in Copas America, in World Cups.”
Despite these controversies, Suárez has continually proven his worth on the field. He reached 100 caps at the 2018 World Cup and was named man of the match twice as Uruguay advanced to the quarter-finals. However, the 2022 World Cup brought disappointment as Uruguay failed to advance past the group stage.
Beyond his international career, Suárez has enjoyed success at some of the world’s most prestigious clubs, including Barcelona, Liverpool, Ajax, and Atletico Madrid. His future now lies with Inter Miami, where he previously stated he will conclude his club career. “I will continue at Inter Miami, my last club. I’m grateful for every club I’ve played for – they’ve all been crucial in my development,” he said, reflecting on his stellar club career.
As he prepares to hang up his national team boots, Suárez’s legacy as a Uruguayan football icon is firmly cemented. He will be remembered not only for his goal-scoring prowess and memorable performances but also for his enduring spirit and passion for the game.
