Luis Suarez said he would come out of international retirement if Uruguay national football team need him for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The 39-year-old striker stepped away from international football in September 2024 after a turbulent end to his Uruguay career. Suárez criticised head coach Marcelo Bielsa at the time and accused the coaching staff of creating tension inside the dressing room.
Suarez has now softened that stance. Speaking to reporters in comments published by EFE, the former FC Barcelona forward said he had apologised for those remarks.
“If the national team needs me, I will never say no, especially with the World Cup so close,” Suarez said.
“I stepped aside then to give the younger generation opportunities. I said some things that I should not have said. I have already apologised to the people I needed to apologise to.”
Suarez currently plays for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. He said he still feels the drive to compete despite his age.
“I still feel some energy inside me. I still feel the desire to keep fighting,” he said.
“When you still get angry after losing a match or making a bad pass, and you still celebrate goals the same way, you can clearly feel it.”
Suarez scored 69 goals in 143 appearances for Uruguay and remains the country’s all-time leading scorer. He also helped Uruguay win the 2011 Copa América and played in four World Cups.
Uruguay will compete in Group H at the 2026 World Cup alongside Saudi Arabia national football team, Cape Verde national football team and Spain national football team.
