Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez has decided to end his international career, concluding a 17-year career filled with iconic moments, including his infamous 2010 World Cup handball.

Suárez revealed his decision during a press conference on Monday, September 2, stating that he would retire after Uruguay’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay on September 6.

“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…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 to retire me, or to stop being called up,” Suarez said in the press conference.

“For me individually, it is very helpful for me 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, and that the flame did not burn out slowly and that is why I made the decision that it should be now,” Suarez added.

With 69 goals, Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer. He made his debut for the national team on February 8, 2007, in a 3-1 win over Colombia. Suarez really rose to international fame during the 2010 World Cup, starting almost every match for Uruguay.

That tournament was a memorable one for Suarez, who used his hand to clear the ball away against Ghana to concede a penalty. As a result, Asamoah Gyan missed the spot-kick, and Uruguay went on to win the shootout.

The following year was Suarez’s most successful tournament for Uruguay. He led La Celeste to the Copa America title and was named the tournament’s best player after scoring four goals.

Suarez is one of only 38 players to have played in four or more World Cups. The Barca legend has played in the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments, joining Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele and Miroslav Klose.

Suarez still shines regularly at Inter Miami, but that is an easy playground compared to his class and experience. As for the national team, Suarez cannot resist age. At Copa America 2024, Uruguay reached the semi-finals but Suarez only played a backup role for Darwin Nunez.