- Luis Suárez retires as Uruguay's top scorer of all time, marking his spot in the country's football history
- Suárez is widely remembered for his controversial handball in the 2010 World Cup, a moment that dramatically changed the course of the match against Ghana
- The Uruguayan striker ended his international career on a high note, scoring in his final match for Uruguay during the 2024 Copa América
TheRadar has compiled below 12 facts that will interest you about Luis Suarez's international career.
1. Uruguay’s all-time top scorer:
Luis Suárez retires as Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer, with an incredible 69 goals in 142 appearances. From a young age, his goal-scoring ability has been unmatched in the history of Uruguayan football and can be for a very long time.
2. A key player in Uruguay’s Copa América triumph:
In 2011, Suárez played a pivotal role in Uruguay's Copa América victory, scoring four goals in the tournament, including a crucial goal in the final against Paraguay. His excellent performances earned him the Best Player of the Tournament award.
3. World Cup heroics:
Suárez's contributions to Uruguay’s World Cup campaigns are unforgettable. He was extremely important in Uruguay’s run to the semi-finals in 2010, famously scoring twice against South Korea in the Round of 16, including a stunning last-minute winner.
4. The controversial handball against Ghana:
One of the most talked-about moments in World Cup history involves Suárez. In the 2010 quarter-finals, he deliberately handled the ball on the line to prevent a certain goal against Ghana. The resulting penalty was missed, and Uruguay advanced to the semi-finals after a dramatic shootout.
5. A historic century:
Luis Suárez became the first Uruguayan player to score 50 international goals, reaching this milestone in 2016. His ability to always find the back of the net at the highest level is raw evidence of talent and grit in one player.
6. Three World Cups, three goals:
Suárez scored in three World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018). His goals were vital in securing Uruguay’s place in the knockout stages of these tournaments.
7. A decade of leadership:
Suárez was not just a goalscorer but also a leader on the pitch. He captained the national team on several occasions, bringing home his club experience and also served as a source of inspiration to his younger teammates.
8. Second most goals in South American World Cup qualifiers:
Suárez formerly held the record for the most goals scored in South American World Cup qualifiers, surpassing the likes of Lionel Messi and Gabriel Batistuta, until recently when Messi outpaced him by two goals on the chart table. His 29 goals in qualifiers are a part of his international legacy.
9. A ridiculous action by a star:
After receiving a nine-match international ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup, Suárez returned to the national team.
10. The record-breaking pair with Cavani:
Suárez and Edinson Cavani formed one of the most potent attacking duos in international football. Together, they have scored over 100 goals for Uruguay, a record for any pair of players in the country’s history.
11. Multiple awards and accolades:
Suárez’s international career is decorated with numerous individual awards, including being named to the Copa América Team of the Tournament three times (2011, 2015, 2019) and earning the Golden Boot for top scorer in the 2011 Copa América.
12. A farewell with style:
Suárez has ended his international career on a high note, scoring in his final appearance for Uruguay during the 2024 Copa América.
8 interesting facts you probably have not heard about İlkay Gündoğan
Previously, TheRadar reported that İlkay Gündoğan, one of the most accomplished midfielders of the past decade, has announced his retirement from international football. The German star made his senior team debut in October 2011, coming on as a late substitute in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Belgium.
Wearing the iconic number 8 jersey for the German national team, İlkay Gündoğan has made his mark on football history.
