On September 3, the 37-year-old veteran striker Luis Suarez announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team, ending a 17-year international career. However, he will continue to play for Inter Miami because of Messi and plans to extend his contract.
“The upcoming match will be my last with the Uruguay national team. This is the moment when I will step onto the field and play with the utmost calm. I want to thank all the Uruguay fans,” an emotional Suarez said during a press conference on September 3 at the Uruguayan Football Federation (AUF) headquarters.
Suarez Officially Retires from the National Team After 17 Years
Suarez will make his final appearance in a Uruguay jersey in the match against Paraguay at 6:30 AM on September 7 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay. This match is part of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The Uruguay national team currently ranks second on the leaderboard with 13 points after six matches, almost guaranteed to secure a spot in the final tournament.
“I am 37 years old, and it is very difficult to play in the 2026 World Cup. I made the decision to retire, not because of injury or because I would no longer be called up to the team. I have thought long and hard and analyzed it thoroughly, and this is the right time,” Suarez expressed.
He also shared, “It’s hard to say this, but I have my reasons. The time has come. I will play my last match for the national team with the same passion as when I played my first match in 2007, when I was 19 years old and took the field with all the desire and energy of youth.”
During his career with the Uruguay national team, Suarez left many historic moments, such as his handball to block a sure goal in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup against Ghana, for which he received a red card, but it helped the team maintain a 1-1 draw and win 4-2 on penalties to reach the semifinals. Or the infamous incident where he bit Italy’s defender Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
However, no one can deny Suarez’s incredible goal-scoring ability inside the penalty box. He has scored 69 goals in 142 matches for Uruguay, making him the all-time top scorer in La Celeste’s history. Striker Edinson Cavani ranks second with 58 goals in 136 matches. Suarez has fewer caps than only center-back Diego Godin, who has 161. He also participated in six Copa America tournaments, winning in 2011, and played in four World Cups.
Suarez Continues to Play Alongside His Close Friend Messi at Inter Miami
After ending his international career, Suarez will continue to be committed to Inter Miami and play alongside his close friend Messi until the end of 2024.
According to American media, Suarez’s decision to retire from the Uruguay national team could be a step towards deciding to sign a one-year contract extension with Inter Miami. 2025 is also the final year of Messi’s contract with Inter Miami. At that time, the two close friends will decide whether to retire together or continue playing until 2026.
Suarez once confided, “I want to end my playing career at the same time as Messi and in the same club colors.” Suarez is currently in his first season with Inter Miami, but so far, he has performed exceptionally well. The 37-year-old striker has scored a total of 20 goals and provided 8 assists in 27 matches for Inter Miami. Among them, he has scored 16 goals in the MLS, ranking second in the top scorers’ list, behind Cristian Arango (Real Salt Lake) and Christian Benteke (DC United), who both have 17 goals.
