BREAKING: Former Barcelona star has announced his retirement from international football

Luis Suarez, the legendary Uruguayan footballer, declared his retirement from international football on Monday. He will retire from the game after the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Montevideo on Friday, marking the conclusion of a 17-year career with his national team, during which he was the team’s top scorer with 69 goals.

In 2007, the 37-year-old made his international debut for his country. He was instrumental in the squad that advanced to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America the following year. He has accumulated 142 matches for his country.

During a press conference, Suarez delivered an emotional statement: “Friday will be my final match for my country.” “The fact that I have made the decision to retire and am not retired due to injuries or the fact that they have stopped contacting me for various reasons provides me with a great deal of comfort and aids me in my personal life.”

“It is challenging, but it provides me with a sense of tranquilly that I have given my all until the final game, and that flame has not been gradually extinguished,” commented the striker.

The former Barcelona and Liverpool striker is widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation. In July, he struck the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America.

He also stated that one of his objectives was to demonstrate his ability to continue to make a meaningful contribution to the national team.

“My aspiration was for my children to witness me achieve a significant victory with the national team. The final goal was particularly meaningful to them, and although it was not a trophy they could take home, it was a special moment for them,” he stated.

“I wanted to demonstrate to the public that I am capable of continuing to make a meaningful contribution to the national team. While I could have retired after the Copa America, I have analysed the situation and have decided to do so with my own people in my own stadium.”

“I desire for my children to undergo this experience.” I am unaware of the number of individuals who have expressed their goodbyes to the individuals present.

Suarez, who was infamously disqualified from the 2014 World Cup after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, was instrumental in Uruguay’s victory at the 2011 Copa America, earning him the title of player of the tournament. He would subsequently represent the South American nation in nine major tournaments.

Suarez stated that the pinnacle of his tenure was leading Uruguay to the Copa America title.

“I would not exchange the Copa America title for anything,” he stated. “It was the pinnacle of my professional life.” I would not exchange it for anything.

Suarez, a dynamic and skilled attacker with a lethal eye for goal, was never far from controversy.

In addition to the biting incident that terminated his participation in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he was also one of the villains of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. His cynical handball on the goal-line denied Ghana what would have been a late victor in the quarter-finals.

Suarez was dismissed for that offence, and Ghana failed to convert the succeeding penalty, which enabled Uruguay to advance to the semi-finals via a penalty shootout.

Throughout his club career, Suarez was also plagued by controversy. In 2011, authorities in England issued an eight-game suspension to him for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United’s France star, Patrice Evra.

Subsequently, he would assist Uruguay in qualifying for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Additionally, he was employed as a substitute by coach Marcelo Bielsa during this summer’s Copa America.

After joining the Major League Soccer team last year to reunite with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Suarez has already declared that Inter Miami will be his final club.