INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
Luis Suárez hails Uruguay bow: “The best farewell I could have had”
The legendary Uruguayan striker said goodbye to the national team on Friday and now must fully focus on the end of the MLS campaign with Inter Miami.
Luis Suárez called time on his international career with Uruguay this week, representing his country for one last time in Friday’s Conmebol 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Montevideo. The 37-year-old captained the Celestes and completed 85 minutes but couldn’t cap the moment with a win as it ended goalless - although Uruguay remain well placed in the classification, sitting second behind leaders Argentina on 14 points from seven games with 11 left to play.
Now, Suárez must focus on other priorities, such as ending the 2024 season in Major League Soccer on a high note with Inter Miami.
An emotional night for Luis Suárez in Montevideo
The striker was given a warm reception by home fans at the Centenario Stadium and was accompanied by other former national team legends, ‘El Pistolero’ posted images and wrote a message on social media: “After a few days I can now write to thank you for the beautiful moment experienced on Friday, unique and special to be able to experience it with my family.”
“It was the best farewell I could have had, surrounded by my loved ones, those who saw me grow up and those who really knew the human Luis. I would like to thank all the Uruguayan people for their love. I am no longer a Uruguay player, but I will always be a fan”.
He retires from international soccer after making 143 appearances for Uruguay, with whom he is the all-time top scorer with 69 goals.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team will face Venezuela on Tuesday in the eighth game of the Conmebol qualifiers as visitors, but Suárez will now have to support his country from afar. The sky-blue team has to win against the Venezuelans and hope that Colombia can take points off Argentina, with the idea of keeping the lead as close as possible.
Suárez-Bielsa, a complex issue
Before Friday’s game, ESPN revealed information that Suárez’s decision to end his international career had a lot to do with a conversation he had with Marcelo Bielsa, in which the Inter Miami striker expressed his desire to continue until the end of the year due to Darwin Núñez’s suspension but the Argentine coach could not guarantee that he will call him up again.
Finally, in the press conference after the draw between Uruguay and Paraguay, the veteran coach said the following: “It is a personal decision, totally understandable and I cannot make any assessment. Yes, a great recognition to a star and a player who will remain in the history of football, much more so in Uruguayan football.”