Luis Suarez, the iconic Uruguayan striker, has officially announced his retirement from international football at the age of 37.
In a heartfelt press conference, Suarez revealed that his final appearance for the national team will be during the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on September 6, 2024.
This marks the end of an illustrious 17-year career representing Uruguay, during which he became the country’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances.
Reflecting on his decision, Suarez stated,
He expressed a desire to retire on a high note, emphasizing the importance of playing his last match in front of his home crowd.
Suarez filled his international career with memorable moments, both glorious and controversial.
He played in nine major tournaments for Uruguay, including three World Cups and five Copa America competitions.
One of his most notable performances came in the 2011 Copa America, where he helped lead Uruguay to victory, finishing as the tournament’s second top scorer with four goals.
However, Suarez’s career has not been without its challenges. Suarez faced significant scrutiny for his actions during the 2010 World Cup. Officials sent him off for a handball that denied Ghana a winning goal in the quarter-finals.
Despite the controversy, he helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.
His career was further marred by bans for biting incidents, but he remained a key player for the national team, participating in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.