Luis Suárez announces his most painful retirement

An emotional moment was experienced at the legendary Centenario stadium. The reason? The legendary forward of the Uruguayan national team and a prominent figure in South American football, Luis 'El Pistolero' Suárez, held a special press conference to announce what had long been an open secret: his retirement from the Uruguayan national team.

The former FC Barcelona player, currently the all-time leading scorer for the 'celeste' with 69 goals and the second player with the most appearances for Uruguay (142), after defender Diego Godín (160), will take advantage of this September FIFA window to step aside internationally. According to him, the match on Friday, September 6 against Paraguay, at the Centenario and valid for the seventh round of the South American Qualifiers towards the 2026 United States, Mexico, and Canada World Cup, will mark his farewell as a Uruguayan international.

"I wanted you to know it from me, that's why the press conference took place. I understand that on Friday... It's hard for me to say it, it will be my last match with my country's national team. I thought about it. It's the right time, it's very difficult. I can play my last match with the national team with total tranquility, I will play it with the same enthusiasm as my first match in 2007. I have always been taught to give everything for my national team. Until Friday, I will give everything, I have nothing to reproach myself for at any time. I would like to thank the fans, who sent me very encouraging messages," he asserted.

😞 “𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐚́ 𝐦𝐢 𝐮́𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐨́𝐧”

Luis Suárez confirmed in a press conference that he is retiring from La Celeste.

📺 https://t.co/qVMBrYJR1J #ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/oRuiJVUBz0

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) September 2, 2024

Similarly, 'Lucho' did not hesitate to express the reasons that led him to make this decision at this precise moment. "There is no greater pride than deciding for oneself when the right time is. I am at ease knowing that I am retiring from the national team because I want to step aside, because there are players with great potential, because I am 37 years old and because it is very difficult to reach the next World Cup. I do not want injuries to force me to retire, I want to step aside and feel prepared, it gives me peace of mind that until the last match I gave my all and that flame did not diminish little by little; that's why I made the decision now," he concluded.

The legend of 'Lucho' in the Uruguayan national team

With this, one of the great goal scorers in the history of the Uruguayan national team bids farewell. A 'killer' in the box who, since his debut on February 7, 2007 in a friendly between Colombia and Uruguay at the General Santander in Colombia, has honored his country's shirt with pride.

Throughout his career with the 'celeste', he has been in four World Cups (South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022), as well as in four Copa América (Argentina 2011, Brazil 2019 and 2021, and the United States 2024) and the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. In this regard, in the press conference, Suárez did not hesitate to mention the best moment he experienced as a player of the 'garra charrúa'. "I experienced incredible chapters with the national team like against Chile with the four goals in the stadium, the World Cup goals. I was lucky to win many titles, but I wouldn't trade the Copa América title (2011) for anything in the world, it was my best moment as a professional," he added.

There is still much to see from Luis Suárez in professional football

Now, it is worth noting that this farewell is only in the realm of the national team, as professionally, he will continue to enjoy football with Inter Miami. "From professional football, I want to continue enjoying a little more. In the future, who knows, I will continue to be involved in football, but I do not want to be a coach. Help with infrastructure for the kids, help them grow, generate learning. But in the short term, enjoy a little after so many farewells and sensations, which is complicated," he concluded.