Luis Suarez could play at World Cup as ex-Liverpool star makes surprise announcement

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The former Liverpool striker previously announced his retirement in 2024 after clashing with Uruguay boss Marcelo BielsaWith just 35 days remaining before Uruguay face Saudi Arabia in their first game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the two-time winners are preparing for the tournament with 13-goal Darwin Nunez as the highest-scoring player in their squad - a man who has not kicked a ball at club level since mid-February.That could all now change, however, as all-time record goalscorer Luis Suarez has announced he is ready to return to the national team after his explosive retirement in 2024.Inter Miami striker Suarez, who scored 69 goals in 143 appearances and won Player of the Tournament as La Celeste won the Copa America in 2011, previously stepped down from international duties following a breakdown in his relationship with Marcelo Bielsa, accusing the manager of "a complete lack of respect" towards members of the Uruguay squad.The influential Bielsa - whose famously brutal training methods and tactical innovation have influenced managers from Diego Simeone to Pep Guardiola - remains in charge of the national team, though, potentially scuppering Suarez's chances of a recall for what would almost certainly be his international swansong.READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid transfer backfires after failing to deliverREAD MORE: Arne Slot is convinced next season will be different at Liverpool - here's how it can beBut Suarez, at least, who courted controversy during his time at Liverpool, has committed to putting past disagreements behind him. In quotes reported by Agencia EFE on Friday (May 8), Suarez said he "would never say no to being selected if I am needed, especially in the run-up to a World Cup.""At the time," he continued, "I stepped aside because I saw that I needed to let the youngsters step up.

I've already apologised to those that I needed to apologise to."Suarez has returned to the starting line-up for Miami's last three games, scoring and assisting in that run after being dropped from the XI towards the end of Javier Mascherano's spell in charge.The disappointment of seeing his minutes reduced seems to have lit a fire under Suarez, though, prompting the reversal of his decision."In that moment," Suarez said, "Mascherano explained it to me and I understood it. When you're getting fewer and fewer minutes, you ask yourself 'why', because the moments in which I was participating weren't bad, but they are decisions that you have to accept."I still have that adrenaline, that desire to want to keep playing.

You find the motivation to keep competing."You see it on the pitch when you still get angry with defeats and bad passes, and you still enjoy it when you score."Though Bielsa is notoriously stubborn and confrontational, his methods during his tenure at Uruguay have so far bred success. Though his Reds legacy was sullied by his at-times disgraceful conduct and early exit, 'El Pistolero' was the best striker in the world during his time at Liverpool and Barcelona and carries pedigree in international tournaments that cannot be matched by any of Bielsa's other options.As unlikely as a return to the fold might appear for the 39-year-old Suarez, his availability may be too good an opportunity for Bielsa to turn down.