Luis Suárez, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, has announced his retirement from the national team, with his final match scheduled for Friday, September 6th, 2024, against Paraguay. The 37-year-old striker, who has netted 69 goals in 142 appearances for Uruguay, made the emotional announcement during a press conference at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.Suárez, who made his debut for Uruguay in 2007, has had a illustrious international career spanning 17 years. He has participated in four World Cups and six Copa América tournaments, with his crowning achievement being the 2011 Copa América title. ‘I’ve given everything I had to the national team, and I have no regrets,’ Suárez stated, fighting back tears.The decision to retire, Suárez explained, came after careful consideration. ‘It’s something I’ve been thinking about, analyzing, and I think it’s the right time,’ he said. He cited his age and the difficulty of reaching the next World Cup as key factors in his decision. Suárez emphasized his desire to retire on his own terms, stating, ‘I don’t want others to decide for me or my body to prevent me from doing so’.Throughout his career, Suárez has been both celebrated for his skill and controversial for incidents such as the handball in the 2010 World Cup and biting Italian player Giorgio Chiellini in 2014. Despite these controversies, he remains a beloved figure in Uruguayan football.As he prepares for his final match, Suárez expressed deep gratitude to the Uruguayan fans and his teammates. ‘I’ll play with the same enthusiasm and desire as I did in my first game in 2007. I’m leaving with the peace of mind that I gave everything to the team,’ he said. The match against Paraguay will kick off at 20:30 local time, with Suárez’s children in attendance to see their father’s final international appearance.
Key points
- Luis Suárez, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances, announces retirement from the national team.
- Suárez’s final match for Uruguay will be against Paraguay on Friday, September 6th, 2024.
- The 37-year-old striker cites age and difficulty reaching the next World Cup as reasons for retirement.
- Suárez’s international career spans 17 years, including four World Cups and six Copa América tournaments.
