Luis Suárez, the renowned Uruguayan footballer, has officially announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team during a recent news conference. The decision comes after his team's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday, marking the end of an illustrious international career spanning 17 years.
Suárez, who currently plays for Inter Miami in the MLS, leaves behind a remarkable legacy as Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with an impressive tally of 69 goals in 142 appearances for his national team.
The striker made his senior debut for Uruguay on February 8, 2007, in a match against Colombia and quickly established himself as a key player for La Celeste. His contributions were pivotal in securing Uruguay's qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he played a significant role in the team's journey to the semifinals.
One of the most memorable moments in Suárez's international career came during the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal against Ghana, where he made a controversial handball to deny Ghana a winning goal. Despite being sent off, Uruguay eventually triumphed in the match and progressed to the next round.
Throughout his career, Suárez participated in four World Cup tournaments (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) and multiple Copa América editions, including the 2011 tournament where he played a crucial role in Uruguay's victory, scoring four goals and providing two assists to earn the MVP award.
His most recent international appearance was in the 2024 Copa América match for third place against Canada, where he showcased his scoring prowess by converting a penalty in the shootout to help his team secure victory.
Following his international retirement, Suárez has been excelling in the MLS with Inter Miami, scoring a total of 16 goals in the current season. His recent standout performance, including a brace in a 4-1 victory against Chicago Fire FC, highlights his enduring talent and impact on the pitch.
