Luis Suarez international retirement was announced on the 3rd of September, 2024.
The 37-year-old Uruguayan legend and superstar confirmed the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Saturday would be his last appearance for his country.
“I have been thinking about this and analyzing this and I believe this is the right time” – Suarez.
He added; ” I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team. I’ll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I made my national team debut”.
Luis Suarez played in 9 major international tournaments for Uruguay and He exits the international stage having etched his name among the greats of Uruguayan international football.
Darwin Nunez, Lionel Messi, and several football stars all congratulated him on a beautiful career with the Uruguayan national team.
In awe of his time with the Uruguayan team, let’s reminisce Luis Suarez’s’s time with the Uruguayan national team;
Luis Suarez international retirement: Early Years.
Luis Suarez, aged 37 years old, made his debut for Uruguay in 2007, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match against Colombia.
Although he was just 20 years old at the time, his talent and potential were already evident.
Over the next few years, all his performances with Liverpool spoke for him and he soon established himself as a regular member of the team, scoring his first goal against Chile in the 2007 Copa America.
Rise to Stardom (2010-2014)
Suarez’s breakthrough into the limelight came in the 2010 World Cup, where he scored three goals, including a crucial one against South Africa.
However, his most infamous moment came in the quarterfinal match against Ghana, where he used his hand to prevent a goal, resulting in a red card and a penalty kick for Ghana.
Asamoah Gyan lost the penalty kick and Uruguay went on to win the match in a penalty shootout.
This remains one of the most infamous incidents in FIFA WORLD CUP history, proudly sponsored by Luis Suarez.
Highs and Lows (2011-2013)
As Suarez prominence increased and his performances for Liverpool caught the eye of top clubs including FC Barcelona.
He also replicated his impressive performances for his national team as he played a key role in Uruguay’s 2011 Copa America triumph, scoring four goals, including one in the final against Paraguay.
He also helped Uruguay reach the Confederations Cup semifinals in 2013, where they lost to Brazil.
However, Suarez was involved in two high-profile incidents: biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup and consequently being banned for nine international matches, and being sent off against Chile in the Copa America.
Luis Suarez in his international retirement announcement hopes he won’t be remembered for those incidents.
Twilight (2015-2018)
Age caught up with Luis Suarez as he neared his late thirties. However, He was as sharp as ever and as clinical as he had always been.
He continued to score crucial goals, including a hat-trick against Bolivia in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Furthermore, his goals also helped Uruguay reach the quarterfinals in the 2018 World Cup, where they lost to France.
However, after representing the Celeste in what would be his last international tournament, Copa America 2024, and playing his last match and 143rd match for the national team on Saturday.
” El Pistolero” deemed it fit to draw the curtain on his international career.
Luis Suarez International Retirement: Personal Achievements and Awards.
Luis Suarez international stats;
– Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer (69 goals)
– Most capped player (142 appearances)
– Copa America winner (2011)
– Confederations Cup fourth place (2013)
– World Cup fourth place (2010)
– FIFA World Cup Silver Boot (2010)
– Copa America Golden Boot (2011)
– Confederations Cup Silver Boot (2013).
Conclusion
Luis Suarez international retirement will forever be on the lips of the Uruguayan national team fans and generations to come.
He left with a legendary status and had his name etched alongside the greats of the Uruguayan national team; Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani, and Diego Gordin.
Luis Suarez “El Pistolero” will forever be remembered as a legend of the Uruguayan national team.
We wish him the very best in his remaining years as a professional footballer and we also back him to score his 70th national goal against Paraguay on Saturday.
To cap this article, what is your best moment of Luis Suarez time with the Uruguayan national team? I would love to know.
