Luis Suarez has opened the door to a potential return to international football, telling reporters he 'would never say no' if Uruguay needed him for the 2026 World Cup. The 39-year-old striker stepped aside from national team duty in September 2024, citing a fractured relationship with head coach Marcelo Bielsa, whom he accused of dividing the squad. Now, after a 19-month absence, Suarez has softened his stance and expressed willingness to rejoin the fold.
'I would never say no to the national team if they need me, especially with a World Cup coming up,' Suarez told EFE news agency. The former Barcelona and Liverpool star acknowledged that his earlier criticism of Bielsa was a mistake: 'I said something I shouldn't have said. I have already apologized to those I needed to apologize to.' His contrition signals a potential reconciliation, though no official talks with the federation have been confirmed.
Suarez's departure from the national team was dramatic. After Uruguay's Copa America campaign, he publicly blasted Bielsa for creating a toxic environment, claiming the coach had 'divided the whole group.' The outburst led to Suarez making himself unavailable for selection, leaving a void in attack for a team in transition. With younger forwards like Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellistri emerging, Suarez's absence allowed them to gain experience, but his return would offer a veteran presence.
The all-time leading scorer for Uruguay, Suarez has 69 goals in 143 appearances across four World Cups. His tournament legacy is defined by both brilliance and controversy. In 2010, his deliberate handball on the goal line against Ghana denied a certain goal but earned a red card and penalty, which Ghana missed. Uruguay advanced, but the 'Hand of Suarez' remains a defining moment. Four years later, he bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, earning a four-month ban that marred his reputation. Despite these incidents, his goal-scoring prowess has never been in doubt.
Now plying his trade at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer alongside Lionel Messi, Suarez insists his competitive fire remains. 'You realise you still have a little bit of life left in you. You get the urge to keep competing,' he said, adding that he still feels anger at losses and joy from goals. This drive could prove invaluable for Uruguay as they prepare for a challenging group stage.
Uruguay qualified fourth in South American standings and will face Saudi Arabia in their opener on June 15 in Miami, followed by Cape Verde and Spain in Group H. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offers Suarez a chance to play on home soil in MLS stadiums. His experience could steady a team that has struggled for consistency under Bielsa, whose intense methods have drawn criticism from several players.
Bielsa, 70, is preparing for his third World Cup after leading Argentina in 2002 and Chile in 2010. His tactical rigidity contrasts with Suarez's more instinctive style, but the striker's apology suggests a willingness to adapt for the sake of the team. Whether Suarez earns a call-up remains uncertain, but his statement leaves the door ajar.
For Uruguay fans, Suarez's potential return stirs nostalgia and debate. His goals have been crucial for two decades, but his age and off-field baggage raise questions. Yet as Suarez put it, 'You still have a little bit of life left.' A fifth World Cup appearance would cement his legacy as one of Uruguay's greatest, controversies and all.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
