Former Barcelona and Liverpool star Luis Suarez has officially announced his retirement from international football.
The Uruguayan forward shared the news in an emotional video released on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, confirming that his upcoming World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Saturday, September 7, will be his final appearance for Uruguay.
Suarez, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances, made his national team debut in February 2007 against Colombia. Reflecting on his decision to retire, Suarez said,
“I have been thinking about this and analyzing it. I believe this is the right time. I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team. I’ll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I played for my national team for the first time. That 19-year-old kid is now a veteran player, an older player—however, you want to call it—with an incredible history with the national team that will give his life for the team.”
Luis Suarez’s Remarkable Career with Uruguay
Luis Suarez’s career with the Uruguayan national team is filled with unforgettable moments. One of the most notable was during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Suarez became a national hero when he was sent off for deliberately handling the ball on the goal line to deny Ghana a last-minute winner in the quarter-finals. Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty, and Uruguay went on to win the penalty shootout, advancing to the semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.
In 2011, Suarez played a pivotal role in leading Uruguay to victory in the Copa America in Argentina, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with four goals. This victory was a significant achievement for Uruguay, marking their 15th Copa America title.
However, Suarez’s career has not been without controversy. In the 2014 World Cup, he was handed a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s final group-stage match. This incident also resulted in a nine-game international ban, causing him to miss the 2015 Copa America. Despite these setbacks, Suarez continued to represent Uruguay in subsequent tournaments, including the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and five Copa America editions.
Luis Suarez’s retirement marks the end of an era for Uruguayan football. His passion, dedication, and undeniable talent have left a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
