By Luis Suarez, one of Uruguay’s most iconic football players, announced his retirement from international football on Monday. The 37-year-old striker confirmed that Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Montevideo will be his final match representing his country.
“Friday will be my last match for my country,” an emotional Suarez told reporters during a press conference. “It was not an easy decision to make, but I do it with the peace of mind that I will give my maximum until the very last game of my (Uruguay) career.”
Suarez leaves the international stage as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 69 goals in 142 appearances since his debut in 2007. His illustrious career with La Celeste spans over 16 years and includes participation in nine major tournaments.
The highlight of Suarez’s international career came in 2011 when he played a pivotal role in Uruguay’s Copa America triumph. Named player of the tournament, Suarez reflected on this achievement with pride: “I wouldn’t trade the Copa America title for anything. It was the best moment of my career.”
Throughout his career, Suarez has been known for his dynamic playing style, exceptional skill, and clinical finishing. However, his time on the international stage has also been marked by controversial moments. Most notably, he was expelled from the 2014 World Cup after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.
Suarez’s international career also includes the infamous handball incident during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final against Ghana, which denied the African side a potential winning goal. While vilified by many, the incident showcased Suarez’s win-at-all-costs mentality that endeared him to Uruguayan fans.
At club level, Suarez’s career has been equally impressive and controversial. He faced an eight-game ban in England in 2011 for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra while playing for Liverpool. Despite the controversies, Suarez’s talent shone through at top clubs including Barcelona and Liverpool.
In recent years, Suarez has taken on a different role within the national team. During this summer’s Copa America, coach Marcelo Bielsa utilized him primarily as a substitute. Nevertheless, Suarez managed to score his 69th international goal in a third-place playoff victory over Canada.
As Suarez prepares for his final match in Uruguay’s sky blue jersey, fans and fellow players alike are reflecting on the impact of a player who, despite his controversies, has left an indelible mark on Uruguayan football. His retirement marks the end of an era for a generation of Uruguayan players who brought the small South American nation back to football’s top table.
The football world now turns its attention to Friday’s match against Paraguay, where Suarez will have one final opportunity to add to his impressive goal tally and bid farewell to the passionate supporters who have stood by him throughout his rollercoaster international career.
