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Luis Suarez made his Uruguay debut in February 2007 Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football. The 37-year-old fought back tears as he confirmed Uruguay's 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 for Uruguay 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. " 'I do not apologise' - Suarez on Ghana handball Love, goals & biting bans - the making of Suarez 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. In 2011, Suarez led Uruguay to victory in the Copa America in Argentina, finishing as the tournament's second top scorer with four goals. At the 2014 World Cup, he scored twice to help Uruguay beat England in the group stages but missed the knockout stages after receiving a fourth-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in his side's final group game. Suarez was also handed a nine-game international ban and missed the 2015 Copa America. "We did go through difficult moments. There were many, " Suarez said during his retirement press conference. "Personally, it was worse for me after my massive mistake in 2014. But there's nothing that I would reproach. " Suarez would go on to play at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, while he appeared in five editions of the Copa America. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Football latest: Carsley to welcome England squad & Ten Hag has Man Utd backing Ten Hag has Man Utd backing despite Liverpool loss 'Draper running with the baton passed by Murray' Award-winning anime One Piece comes to i Player Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew set sail to search for the world's greatest treasure. Powerful drama Sherwood returns A complex web of local gangs, old rivalries and betrayal awaits. .. Scott Mills takes on Celebrity Race Across The World This series is no holiday! Watch now on i Player One road, countless victims and a predator unpunished The powerful story of France's most notorious serial rapist and a justice system blind to his crimes 'A quartet of wins that show money doesn't buy golfing glory' 'Draper running with the baton passed by Murray' GB win six golds to continue bountiful Games The games, goals and quotes that defined Bellamy's Wales days Weekly football quiz: Who beat Chelsea in Europe? 'We are allowing them to be stars' - FC Copenhagen Women make mark 'A bad day at the office' - how Man Utd paid for mistakes. Video'A bad day at the office' - how Man Utd paid for mistakes Who will win the Super Bowl and MVP award? Pundits' NFL predictions 'Slot has made daunting task of replacing iconic Klopp look easy' What's happening and when at Paris Paralympics? Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? 'All over the place' - Spurs defence make it 'too easy' for Newcastle. Video'All over the place' - Spurs defence make it 'too easy' for Newcastle 'Celtic disappearing over horizon as Europe looms into view' 'Monumental capitulation' - Toffees crumble as Bournemouth fight back. Video'Monumental capitulation' - Toffees crumble as Bournemouth fight back Root is England's greatest batter - Vaughan Haaland 'bursting' with confidence - but how do you cope with him? Video Haaland 'bursting' with confidence - but how do you cope with him? Vaughan & Stokes react to 'remarkable' Atkinson dismissal. Video Vaughan & Stokes react to 'remarkable' Atkinson dismissal Bazball to white-ball? Why England should give Mc Cullum limited-overs job Biggest spenders & broken records - your transfer-window breakdown Will Sterling go from Chelsea exile to Arsenal 'masterstroke'? © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.