Luis Suarez, one of the most iconic strikers in modern football, announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team in an emotional press conference on Monday. The 37-year-old forward, currently playing for Inter Miami, will bid farewell to international football after Uruguay’s World Cup Qualifier against Paraguay this week.
Suarez, who recently helped La Celeste reach the semifinals of the Copa America, struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on his decision to step away. “I’ve been thinking about this and analyzing it deeply. I believe this is the right time,” Suarez said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I want to be at peace when I play my last game for the national team.”
He continued, “I’ll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I first wore the national team jersey. That 19-year-old kid is now a veteran, an older player with an incredible history who will give everything for the team one last time.”
Suarez’s career has been marked by prolific goal-scoring and passionate displays. Over nearly 800 club appearances, he has netted 495 goals, cementing his place as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 international goals in 142 caps, second only to his longtime teammate Diego Godin in appearances. Suarez burst onto the international scene as a teenager after signing with Dutch club Groningen, but his fiery nature was evident from the start, earning a red card for dissent in his debut match.
Suarez’s rise to prominence continued with a move to Ajax, where he dominated the Eredivisie and earned his spot in Uruguay’s 2010 World Cup squad. It was during this tournament that he made one of his most infamous contributions to the sport—a deliberate handball in the dying moments of a quarterfinal clash against Ghana. The referee sent Suarez off for his last-ditch save, but Ghana’s missed penalty allowed Uruguay to progress in the shootout. “Mine is the real ‘Hand of God,’” Suarez quipped afterward. “I made the save of the tournament.”
By 2014, Suarez was a pivotal figure at Liverpool, nearly leading the Reds to their first Premier League title with 43 goal contributions. During the World Cup in Brazil that summer, Uruguay navigated a challenging group featuring Italy and England, but Suarez once again stirred controversy when FIFA banned him for four months for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.
Though Uruguay’s 2018 World Cup campaign ended in the group stages, Suarez continued to play a significant role for his country, helping them secure a third-place finish in the 2023 Copa America by defeating Canada. His final chapter with La Celeste brings an end to a storied international career that has seen both incredible highs and unforgettable moments of controversy.
Reflecting on his journey, Suarez acknowledged his transformation from a fiery young forward into a seasoned veteran. “I have given everything to my country, and I will continue to give my all in my final game,” he said, looking forward to his last outing in Uruguay colors.
As Suarez prepares to hang up his international boots, he leaves behind a legacy defined by his brilliance on the pitch and unwavering passion for the game.
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