Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer, Luis Suarez, announced he would retire from international football after his nation’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday. The 37-year-old forward scored 69 goals in 142 appearances for La Celeste and will make his last outing for his country when Uruguay tries to consolidate their campaign for World Cup qualification.
Highlights of Suarez’s international career have been his helping Uruguay to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and then winning the 2011 Copa America, in which he was voted Player of the Tournament. An emotional Suarez revealed, “I believe this is the right time. I’ll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I first played for the national team.” From career controversies—a handball against Ghana in 2010, followed by a nine-match ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini in 2014—Suárez had marked his place on the Uruguayan football field. At present, he is part of the Inter Miami team in MLS, with a return of 16 goals in 20 outings. Now he will say adiós to international football, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy of passion and commitment to his national team.
