KATHMANDU: At the age of 37, veteran striker Luis Suárez declared his retirement from the Uruguay national team on Monday. With 69 goals in 142 games, Suárez is Uruguay's all-time top scorer. He said that Friday's World Cup qualifying encounter against Paraguay will be his last international game. The news was revealed at a tearful press conference held at Centenario Stadium.
Suárez, who started playing for Uruguay in 2007, stated he thought the timing was right to retire from international football. He explained that it is consoling to retire on his own terms, not because of injuries. Suárez's choice brings an end to an illustrious international career that saw him compete in five Copa America competitions, winning the latter in 2011, and four World Cups.
The striker intends to further his career at the club level. He presently plays for Inter Miami with his close friend Lionel Messi. From 2014 to 2020, Suárez and Messi were teammates at Barcelona. Suárez has also played for Ajax, Liverpool, Atlético Madrid, and Gremio in addition to Barcelona.
As one of Uruguayan football's best players, Suárez's retirement from the national team brings an incredible chapter to an end. Both supporters and fellow athletes will remember his contributions and professional accomplishments.
