Luis Suárez, Uruguay's all-time top scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances announced his retirement from the country's national football team at the age of 37.
Suárez is considered one of the greatest players of his generation, having won the 2011 Copa America and helped Uruguay qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
He has also had success at both club and international levels, winning multiple titles, including a league title with his boyhood club Nacional de Montevideo in 2022.
His decision to retire was influenced by the desire to do so in front of his home crowd at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, under the direction of Marcelo Bielsa. He consulted with his wife about the timing.
Suárez emphasized that he is leaving the team feeling content, knowing that he gave his all without any regrets.
Despite retiring from the national team, Suárez continues to play for Inter Miami in the MLS, where he leads the team in goals this season.
Suárez has had a controversial career, but he remains an icon in Uruguay.
In a controversial incident, he famously handballed in a crucial match against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup, leading to his expulsion. Uruguay ultimately won the quarterfinal match on penalties.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: BBC, NYTimes, Independent, CNN Espanol, USA Today, CBS News, El Pais, El Mundo, France24, Telegraaf, Vanguardia, El Siglo De Torreon, El Heraldo.