Luis Suarez gave an emotional farewell message to Uruguay s fans after the final game of his international career ended in a goalless draw with Paraguay in Montevideo.
Suarez announced earlier this month that Friday s 2026 World Cup qualifier would be his final outing for La Celeste, who he helped win the 2011 Copa America and reach the 2010 World Cup semi-finals.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona man was unable to end his international career with a victory as Marcelo Bielsa s team were kept out by Paraguay.
Suarez played the full 90 minutes as captain as Uruguay registered just one shot on target in a meek performance, but the result could not put a dampener on post-match tributes to the striker.
Addressing the crowd, Suarez said: I have only words of gratitude to all Uruguayans, who since my career began supported me, not only me, but a generation that had a very difficult time.
142+1 Luis Suárez jugará su último partido con . Leyenda.
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier)
That group marked me a lot, being a healthy group, where we were all on the same path. People don t know how much we fought for this shirt and how difficult it is to represent a country, it is not easy to assume that responsibility.
I went through very complicated moments in my career. I want to thank you for the affection and be clear that Uruguay is bigger than any coach or player and that, from tomorrow, I will be just another fan.
Up Uruguay and I will always be grateful to the Uruguayan people.
Suarez ended his international career with a national record 69 goals in 143 caps, his final strike for Uruguay being a last-minute equaliser versus Canada in the third-place play-off at this year s Copa America, a contest La Celeste won on penalties.
