Luis Suárez, 39, willing to rejoin Uruguay prior to World Cup
Luis Suárez expressed his willingness to rejoin the Uruguay national team despite having retired from international play in 2024, emphasizing that he would never abandon his country.
“Naturally, representing the national team is always a desire,” Suárez, 39, stated in an interview this week with the Uruguayan outlet Diario Ovación.
“You begin to contemplate it today, considering it, and with the World Cup approaching, if they require your assistance … what would you do? I will never decline my country’s call, I will never say no to my country.”
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“I stepped back from the national team to allow other players to emerge, and because I sensed that a time had come when I could no longer contribute effectively to the team. However, if they need me, I will never refuse the national team. That is out of the question — as long as I continue to play, as long as I remain active.”
Suárez declared his retirement from the Uruguayan national team in September 2024, concluding his tenure as the all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 143 appearances over 17 years.
He noted that his choice to retire has been challenging, gradually diminishing his enthusiasm for the game.
“You keep the ambition, that love for football fueled by aspirations and dreams, and you always envisioned being part of the national team,” Suárez remarked.
Clearly, I made the choice [to retire] for multiple reasons, but since my departure, that passion for football has lessened somewhat.”
Currently, Suárez is concentrating on achieving success with Inter Miami. He netted a goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Austin FC, marking his first goal of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
Miami head coach Javier Mascherano subsequently commended the performance of the former Barcelona striker, who signed a new one-year deal to stay with the club last December.
“I thought Luis performed exceptionally; he played a crucial role in securing the equalizer,” Mascherano stated. “I believe he had two additional chances as well, the goal itself, plus another opportunity or two in the box.”
Suárez and Inter Miami will be back in action on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.
