Luis Suarez Announces International Retirement, Set to Play Final Match Against Paraguay

Uruguayan football icon Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football, with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Paraguay marking his final appearance for the national team. The announcement, made on September 2, comes as Suarez, at 37 years old, prepares to end a storied international career.

Suarez, who has represented Uruguay in four World Cups, is known for his pivotal role in the 2010 tournament, where he controversially prevented Ghana from advancing to the semifinals with a handball in the quarterfinals. Uruguay went on to win that match in a penalty shootout. Despite the controversies, including a biting incident involving Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, Suarez remains a national hero for his significant contributions to Uruguayan football.

In a heartfelt press conference, Suarez reflected on his career, stating, “Friday will be my last match for my country. It was not an easy decision to make, but I do it with the peace of mind that I will give my maximum until the very last game of my career.”

Since making his debut in 2007, Suarez has earned 142 caps for Uruguay and scored 69 goals, making him the top scorer in the nation’s history. His career highlights include leading Uruguay to victory in the Copa America in 2011.

Suarez’s retirement marks the end of an era for Uruguay, following the earlier retirement of another star forward, Edinson Cavani, in June.