Uruguayan football legend Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 37. The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker confirmed that he will retire following Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Montevideo.
“Friday will be my last match for my country,” Suarez said emotionally during a press conference. “It was not an easy decision to make, but I do it with the peace of mind that I will give my maximum until the very last game of my Uruguay career.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, Suarez retires as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, with 69 goals in 142 appearances. He made his debut for the national team in February 2007 against Colombia.
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Throughout his international career, Suarez participated in nine major tournaments with Uruguay and was a key player in their 2011 Copa America victory. He scored four goals in that tournament, including two in the semi-finals and one in the final, earning the Player of the Tournament award as Uruguay won their 15th Copa America title.
Suarez last played for Uruguay in the 2024 Copa America third-place playoff against Canada, where he scored a last-minute equalizer and converted his penalty in the shootout, helping Uruguay secure third place. He was not included in the game-day roster for Uruguay’s 1-1 draw against Guatemala in a friendly on Sunday.
Suarez’s international career has been marked by memorable moments, including his goals at the 2010 World Cup and his controversial handball against Ghana that helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals. However, it also includes incidents such as his nine-game ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
Suarez’s retirement marks the end of an era for Uruguay, as he leaves behind a legacy as one of the nation’s most influential and controversial players.