Luis Suares announces retirement from international football

Luis Suárez has announced his retirement from international football after 17 years playing for Uruguay.

The Inter Miami man confirmed this in a press conference, stating he will play his final match on Friday.

Uruguay will play Paraguay in the World Cup qualifier and Suarez intended on approaching the match with the same tenacity as he did in his first game back in 2007.

“I leave with the peace of mind that I gave everything for the national team until Friday. I have no regrets”, Suarez said.

“There is no better pride in oneself than knowing when the right moment to retire. Luckily I am confident that I am retiring from the national team because I want to take a step aside.”

“I am 37 years old and I know that it is very difficult to get to the next World Cup. It comforts me a lot that I can retire and not for my injuries, or to stop being called up. Very helpful to want to take that step aside and feel ready. It is difficult because the decision was not easy. But I go with the peace of mind that until the last game I gave my all. The flame did not burn out slowly and that is why I made the decision that it should be now”, he said.

Suarez played in four World Cups, winning the Copa America in 2011 and was named the tournament’s best player. He is the country’s leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 games across 17 years.

Playing with the squad which finished third in the Copa America in July, the former Liverpool and Barcelona striker stated his aim was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.

“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team. That last goal was very nice, even though it wasn’t a trophy, it was very nice for them”, he said.

“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team. Won had the Copa America, yes, could have retired perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium. I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done”, he added.

The former Ajax forward broke into the Uruguay squad at age 19 after impressing with Groningen in the 2006-07 campaign.

Suarez went on to become the country’s all time goalscorer, beating off Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani. He was also notable for a memorable moment at the 2010 World Cup, when he deliberately handled the ball on the goal line to prevent Ghana scoring during the tournament’s thrilling quarter-final.

Suarez said he would continue to play for Inter Miami, noting it would be his last club before he hangs his boot finally.