Luis Suarez officially announces retirement from Uruguay national team after 142 caps

Luis Suarez has officially announced that he will be playing his last game for the Uruguay national team later this week against Paraguay as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Aged 37, the veteran has been recognised as one of the best forwards of his generation, but is set to bid farewell to the national team after a lengthy career.

He made his debut for the Celeste in 2007, and has since become the country’s top goalscorer of all-time with a tally of 67 goals in 142 caps over 17 years. The striker announced his decision in a visibly emotional state.

Luis Suarez to retire from international football at 37

🤍💙 Luis Suárez has announced his retirement from international football. 🇺🇾

👕 142 apparances
⚽️ 69 goals
🎯 39 assists
🎖️ Top scorer in Uruguay history

Final match for Uruguay this week. 🔫 pic.twitter.com/tagEhUWfFi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 3, 2024

“I’ve been thinking about this and analyzing this. I believe this is the right time. 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 played for my national team for the first time. That 19-year old kid is now a veteran player, an older player — however you want to call it — with an incredible history with the national team will give his life for the team on Friday,” said Luis Suarez with tears in his eyes.

“We did go through difficult moments. There were many. Personally, it was worse for me after my massive mistake in 2014. But there’s nothing that I would reproach,” said Suarez reflecting back on his memories.

It now remains to be seen if the legendary striker can find the back of the net one last time in front of the home fans in Uruguay’s next game.