Luis Suarez announces retirement from International football

Legendary Uruguayan football player Luis Suárez recently declared his retirement from the game, capping an incredible career that witnessed him become the nation's all-time leading scorer. During a news conference on Monday, September 2, Suárez made his announcement. He said he would retire following Uruguay's September 6 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay.

Suárez, who has scored 69 goals over 142 appearances over 17 years, will end his international career as Uruguay's most prolific goal scorer. On February 8, 2007, Suárez made his Uruguayan senior debut in a 3-1 victory against Colombia. He immediately established himself as an essential member of the team and helped Uruguay qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. 

During a press conference, Suarez said, "There is no better pride in oneself than knowing when the right moment to retire is, and luckily I am confident that I am retiring from the national team because I want to take a step aside...I am 37 years old, and I know that it is very difficult to get to the next World Cup. It comforts me a lot that I can retire and not for my injuries to retire me, or to stop being called up,"

The former FC Barcelona star added, "For me individually, it is very helpful for me to want to take that step aside and feel ready. It is difficult because the decision was not easy. But I go with the peace of mind that until the last game I gave my all, and that the flame did not burn out slowly and that is why I made the decision that it should be now."

What’s next for Luis Suarez and Inter Miami?

In Uruguay's most recent game, the Copa América third-place encounter against Canada in 2024, Suárez scored a penalty during the shootout that helped his team win. That game turned out to be the last time the striker would play for the South American nation.

Playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami CF with his long-time buddy Lionel Messi, Suárez will now concentrate strictly with his club career, leaving aside an incredible international legacy.