Luis Suárez Announces Emotional Retirement from International Football After 17 Years

Uruguayan football legend Luis Suárez has announced his retirement from international football, marking the end of a 17-year career with the national team. The 37-year-old striker, who is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, made the tearful announcement ahead of Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at Centenario Stadium.

“It hurts to say it, but Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” Suárez shared during an emotional press conference on Monday. Fighting back tears, he expressed his gratitude for being able to retire on his own terms rather than due to injury or being left out of the squad. “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. 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.”

Suárez, who made his debut for Uruguay in 2007, leaves behind an incredible legacy. With 69 goals in 142 appearances, he stands as the nation’s top scorer. His illustrious career includes four World Cup appearances and five Copa America tournaments, where he led Uruguay to victory in the 2011 Copa America, scoring twice in the semifinals and the match-winner in the final, earning the title of player of the tournament.

Reflecting on his career, Suárez admitted that the upcoming match would be as emotional as his first appearance for Uruguay when he was just 19. “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.”

Suárez’s career has been marked by both triumphs and controversies. One of his most memorable moments came in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals when he prevented Ghana from scoring an extra-time winner by handling the ball on the goal line, leading to his red card. Although Ghana missed the subsequent penalty, Uruguay went on to win the match in a shootout, reaching the semifinals for the first time in 40 years. While hailed as a hero at home, Suárez also faced heavy criticism in 2014 after being banned for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, his third of four biting incidents throughout his career.

“My fear has always been that my lasting image for my children and all Uruguayan fans would be of 2014,” Suárez confessed. “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.”

Suárez reached 100 caps at the 2018 World Cup and was named man of the match twice as Uruguay advanced to the quarterfinals. However, in 2022, the team faced disappointment as they were eliminated in the group stage.

While Suárez will continue his club career with Inter Miami, where he previously stated he would end his professional playing career, his international retirement marks the end of an era. Suárez’s storied club career also includes successful stints with Barcelona, Liverpool, Ajax, and Atletico Madrid, where he left an indelible mark on the sport.