Uruguay Icon Luis Suarez Announces Retirement from International Football

Uruguayan soccer legend Luis Suarez has officially announced his retirement from international football.

The 37-year-old striker, who currently plays for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, confirmed his decision during an emotional press conference on Monday, September 2, 2024.

Suarez revealed that his final appearance for the Uruguay national team will be in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2024, in Montevideo.

Suarez, who made his debut for Uruguay in February 2007 against Colombia, is the nation's all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances.

Reflecting on his career, Suarez stated, "I’ve been thinking about this and analyzing this. I believe this is the right time." He expressed pride in being able to retire on his own terms, saying, "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."

Throughout his illustrious career, Suarez played for several top clubs, including Nacional, Groningen, Ajax, Liverpool, and Barcelona. His dominant form at Liverpool earned him a transfer to Barcelona in 2014, where he won the Champions League in his first campaign, scoring the winning goal in the final.

Despite his controversial moments, such as the infamous handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup and the biting incident in the 2014 World Cup, Suarez's skill and tenacity on the field have left an indelible mark on the sport.

As he prepares for his final match, Suarez remains committed to giving his all for his country. "I leave with the peace of mind that I gave everything for the national team until Friday. I have no regrets," he said. Suarez's retirement marks the end of an era for Uruguayan football, but his legacy as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the game will endure.