Luis Suárez has expressed his willingness to consider a return to the Uruguay national team, despite retiring from international play in 2024. He emphasized that he would never turn his back on his country.
“Naturally, representing the national team is always a desire,” Suárez, 39, mentioned in a recent interview with Uruguayan newspaper Diario Ovación.
“As the World Cup approaches, I find myself thinking about it. If they need me… how could I refuse? I will never say no to my country, that’s something I can promise.”
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“I retired from the national team to pave the way for younger talents and because I felt I had reached a point where I could no longer contribute effectively. Yet, if my country calls on me, I would never refuse. That would be unthinkable—so long as I continue to play and remain active.”
Suárez announced 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 a span of 17 years.
However, he confessed that the decision to step back has been tough, gradually diminishing his enthusiasm for the game.
“The love for football, fueled by aspirations and dreams, lingers, and I’ve always envisioned being part of the national team,” Suárez reflected. “While I made the choice to retire for several reasons, the passion for football has somewhat faded since my departure.”
For now, Suárez is dedicated to achieving success with Inter Miami. He scored in Saturday’s 2-2 tie against Austin FC, marking his first goal of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, commended Suárez’s performance, noting that the former Barcelona forward, who signed a new one-year contract last December, played a vital role in securing the equalizer.
“Luis looked outstanding; he was instrumental in getting the equalizer,” Mascherano remarked. “He had a couple of other chances as well, alongside the goal, creating opportunities around the box.”
Suárez and Inter Miami are set to face off against the New York Red Bulls this Saturday.