Luis Suarez retires from international football
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football.
The 37-year-old fought back tears as he confirmed the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Saturday (00:30 BST) will be his last appearance for his country.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona forward is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances, having made his debut against Colombia in February 2007.
“I’ve been thinking about this and analysing this. I believe this is the right time,” said Suarez.
“I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team. I’ll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I played for my national team for the first time.
“That 19-year old kid is now a veteran player, an older player – however you want to call it – with an incredible history with the national team, that will give his life for the team.”
Suarez played in nine major international tournaments for Uruguay.
He was sent off in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final when he handled on the line during the final minute of extra time to prevent Ghana from progressing to the semi-finals.
Ex-Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent spot-kick and Uruguay won the resulting penalty shootout to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.
Source: BBC
