Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez, who makes scoring goals look easy, on Monday faced one of the toughest moments of his storied career.
The 37-year-old, wearing a blue blazer and choking back tears, announced his retirement from the Uruguayan national team after 17 years, 142 games and 69 goals, the most by any player in La Celeste history.
He will play his final match for Uruguay on Friday in a home World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at Estadio Centenario and then return to Inter Miami for the final seven games of the regular season and the playoffs. Suarez, who joined Inter Miami in January on a one-year contract that expires at the end of this season, indicated that he is not planning to end his club career just yet.
“I want to keep enjoying professional football a bit more,” Suarez said. It is safe to assume he would want to stay with Miami, where he is playing alongside his friends and former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Despite arriving with aching knees, “El Pistolero” (The Gunslinger) has proven he still has plenty of firepower. He scored four goals in the past two Inter Miami games and is tied for second place in the MLS Golden Boot race with 16 goals in 20 games. He has taken a leadership role while Messi has been out injured, helping Miami stay atop the Supporters’ Shield race with 59 points (18 wins, five losses, four ties).
As for his national team career, he felt it was time to hang up the light blue No. 9 jersey.
“I want to share news that has been circulating the last several hours, and I wanted you to hear it from me, which is why I am having this press conference,” Suarez said in Montevideo. Then he paused, took a deep breath, and struggled to get out the following words: “Friday [deep breath]…This is difficult to even say… [media break into applause] …will be my last game for [breaking down] my country.”
Suarez made his national team debut at age 19 on Feb. 8, 2007, a 3-1 win over Colombia, and went on to star at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He scored three goals in six World Cup games, including both goals in Uruguay’s 2-1 win over South Korea in the Round of 16.
He represented Uruguay at nine major tournaments and helped lead the team to the 2011 Copa America title. Suarez scored four goals in that tournament, including two in the semifinals and one in the final. He was named Player of the Tournament as Uruguay won its 15th Copa America trophy.
“This is something I have been thinking about and analyzing, and I believe this is the right time,” Suarez said. “I have my reasons. It was my decision. It’s very difficult but I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team. I will play with the same energy and desire I had in my first national team appearance in 2007 when I was a 19-year-old kid.
“Now, I am a veteran player, an older player, whatever you want to call it, with an incredible history with the national team and I will give my life for the team on Friday.”
He added: “I am retiring because I want to step aside. I am 37 years old, there are a lot of talented players and I know it would be difficult to get to the next World Cup. It is comforting to know I can retire on my terms and not have to retire due to injuries, or to not being called up. I want to say goodbye here, with my people. This is the ideal moment.”
He opened the press conference by offering condolences to the family of Uruguayan player Juan Izquierdo, who died last week at age 27 after collapsing during a game.
Suarez scored twice in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, helping lead Uruguay to the quarterfinals.
He last played for his country in the 2024 Copa America third-place game against Canada in July. Suarez scored a 92nd-minute equalizer and then converted his attempt in the penalty kick shootout to help Uruguay win the game.
02 September 2024, Uruguay, Montevideo: Luis Suárez during a press conference at the Estadio Centenario with a sign saying “Thank you for everything”. The Uruguayan star striker Luis Suárez has announced his retirement from the national team. Photo: Santiago Mazzarovich/dpa/Sipa USA
The low point of his legendary career came during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He scored both Uruguay goals in a group stage game against England and then bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the final group game. FIFA banned Suarez for nine international games, so he was unable to play the rest of that World Cup, and he also was suspended for the 2015 Copa America.
“My fear has always been that my lasting image for my children and all Uruguayan fans would be of 2014,” Suarez said, holding back tears. “I have gotten past that. And I hope the people have also forgotten and they are left with all the great moments I lived in our stadium, with all the things our team accomplished, in Copas Americas, in World Cups, that they remember the Luis Suarez who delivers, is generous and who, I am honored to say, is the top scorer in the history of this country. I never imagined that. I surpassed many great players and that makes me very proud and in a few months I will be another Uruguayan fan.”
Suarez joined Inter Miami from Brazilian club Gremio, where he battled chronic knee injuries. There was some question as to whether Suarez could withstand Inter Miami’s grueling schedule. He has proven skeptics wrong.
“He’s come into the team, scored a lot of goals, been a playmaker, so for him to add goals to his tally is massive for us,” Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender said after Suarez scored two goals in the first six minutes against FC Cincinnati two weeks ago.
“It just shows his class, his intelligence and how smart he is as a player. For him to be competing at this level at his age shows how much of a professional he is. That’s what he’s done his whole career.”
Aug 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suarez (9) shoots and scores a goal against Chicago Fire FC defender Tobias Salquist (14) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Tata Martino added: “What Luis gives us, in addition to his goals, which is most important, is his competitive spirit, his effort and dedication to the team.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-02 15:48:00
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