LUIS SUAREZ announced he will play his last match for Uruguay this week in a teary-eyed press conference on Monday.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona star confirmed he will wave goodbye to international football after Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.
2Luis Suarez has confirmed he will play his last match for Uruguay this weekCredit: PA
2Suarez revealed the news in a tear-filled press appearance on Monday.Credit: Reuters.
Suarez, 37, stated that he would approach the game with the same zeal as he did in his first appearance in 2007.
He stated, “I leave with the peace of mind that I gave my all for the national team until Friday.” I don’t have any regrets.
“There is no better pride in oneself than knowing when the right moment to retire is and luckily I am confident that I am retiring from the national team because I want to take a step aside.”
The experienced striker, who played with the Reds from 2011-2014, expressed satisfaction with his decision to retire on his own terms rather than due to injury.
He went on to say, “I am 37 years old, and I am well aware that qualifying for the next World Cup will be extremely difficult. It gives me great comfort to know that I can retire rather than my injuries retiring me or preventing me from being called up again.
“It is definitely important to want to take that step back and feel prepared. It’s challenging since the decision was not simple.
“But I go with the peace of mind that until the last game I gave my all, and that the flame did not burn out slowly and that is why I made the decision that it should be now.”
Uruguay’s star player has won four World Cups and was awarded the best player in the 2011 Copa America.
And this year, Marcelo Bielsa’s side finished third in the Copa America, with Suarez admitting he wanted to finish on home turf.
He went on to say, “My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team… that last goal was very nice for them, and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice.”
“I wanted to show people that I can continue to contribute to the national team.
“I had the Copa America, and while I could have retired nicely after that, after analyzing the situation, I want to do it with my people, at my stadium.
“I want my kids to have this experience. I don’t think many people have said farewell to the individuals here.”
The Uruguayan attacker is the country’s highest scorer, with 69 goals in 142 games over 17 years.
Suarez made his senior debut for Uruguay against Colombia in a 3-1 win on February 8, 2007. However, he was sent off in the 85th minute for dissent.
Suarez, who joined Inter Miami last year, will continue to play beside former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi. He has stated that this would be his final club.