Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

In an emotional press conference on Monday, Luis Suarez announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team after this week's international break.

The Liverpool legend, who now plays for Inter Miami, recently led La Celeste to the Copa America semifinals.

I believe this is the right time," said a visibly emotional Suarez as he announced his decision while fighting back tears.



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 will give his life for the team on Friday."

At 37, Suarez is nearing the end of a prolific career as a striker, having scored 495 goals in nearly 800 appearances.

Although Suarez saw red, Ghana missed the penalty that followed and eventually lost in the shootout.

Suarez, never shying away from controversy, claimed, "Mine is the real 'Hand Of God'," boasting, "I made the save of the tournament.

By the time the 2014 World Cup rolled around, hosted by Brazil where Uruguay had previously clinched their first two-time champions title in 1950, Suarez was already a key player for Liverpool, nearly leading the Reds to their first Premier League title with an impressive 43 goal contributions.

Uruguay managed to progress from a tough group that included Italy and England, but controversy still followed Suarez, who was later handed a four-month ban from football after biting Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder

Despite not making it past the group stage in the 2018 World Cup, Suarez achieved his first top-3 international finish this summer when Uruguay triumphed over Canada in the Copa America third-place match.

His retirement will see the No.9 shirt likely passed on permanently to Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez