Emotional Suarez Retires from Uruguayan National Team at the Age of 37

Uruguayan prime striker Luis Suarez declared the end of his international journey on Monday, terminating a 17-year-long football career with his national side as its top goal scorer with 69 goals. 

The 37-year-old has 142 caps for the South American side. El Pistolero made his international debut in the year 2007 and was the key player in the squad that reached the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup and also won the Copa America just a year later. 

“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” Suarez told emotionally in a press conference.

“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually. It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game, I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the No.9 said.

Uruguay will play Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.   

The 37-year-old striker netted in the stoppage time against Canada to seal the third position at the recently concluded Copa America tournament in July. His last-moment goal’s purpose was only to depict his laser-sharp aim which aged fine with his talent. 

“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team ... that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he expressed.

“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium. I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye to the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done, he added.

Suarez has already stated that Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami will be his last club and the main purpose of joining the Black-Pink side was to reunite with his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.