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Luis Suarez, one of Uruguay’s most iconic footballers, has officially announced his retirement from international football at the age of 37.

The news comes after a remarkable 17-year career with the national team, during which Suárez became Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances.

The former Liverpool man made the announcement during an emotional press conference on Monday in Montevideo.

The striker expressed that the decision to retire was difficult but necessary, as he felt it was the right time to step aside.

He emphasized that he wanted to leave on his own terms, rather than being forced out due to injury or a lack of opportunities.

Suárez will play his final match for Uruguay in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, marking the end of a legendary international career.

Throughout his career, Suárez participated in nine major tournaments, including four World Cups, and was a key player in Uruguay’s 2011 Copa América triumph, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

His career has been marked by both brilliance and controversy, including his infamous handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup, which played a crucial role in Uruguay reaching the semifinals.

Suarez’s first cap came in 2007 and is the second-all time appearance maker for his nation behind the 160 held by Diego Godin.

Suarez is also the record goal scorer for Uruguay with 69 goals, 11 clear of Edinson Cavani.

These statistics confirm what we already know: that Suarez is perhaps the best striker of his generation and certainly one of the best forwards of all time.

What did Luis Suarez say about his Uruguay retirement?

Speaking at a press conference called for his retirement, Suarez explained the reasoning behind his decision.

“I’ve been thinking about this and analysing this.

I believe this is the right time,” said Suarez.

“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 Suárez participated in nine significant international tournaments representing Uruguay.

Notably, during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final, he was sent off for deliberately handling the ball on the goal line in the dying moments of extra time, a move that prevented Ghana from advancing to the semi-finals.

Asamoah Gyan, missed the ensuing penalty, and Uruguay eventually triumphed in the penalty shootout, securing their place in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in four decades.

During the 2014 World Cup, Suárez scored twice to help Uruguay defeat England in the group stage, but his tournament ended prematurely after he was handed a four-month suspension for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s final group match.

“We did go through difficult moments.

There were many,” Suarez explained.

“Personally, it was worse for me after my massive mistake in 2014?

But there’s nothing that I would reproach.”

This incident also led to a nine-game international suspension, causing Suárez to miss the 2015 Copa América.

Currently playing for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS), Suarez has not commented on his future at the club level, though he is expected to continue playing for the remainder of the 2024 season.

As Suárez steps away from international duty, he leaves behind a legacy as one of Uruguay’s greatest-ever players.

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