Forlán Opens the Door for Suárez: “Why Not?”
Uruguay's interim head coach has left the door open for the country's all-time leading scorer to return to the national team, praising his experience and continued goalscoring ability.
The possibility of Luis Suárez returning to the Uruguay national team is no longer completely off the table. Diego Forlán, currently in charge of the Under-20 side and serving as interim head coach of the senior team, has opened the door for the legendary striker to make a comeback.
During his first press conference as interim coach, Forlán was asked about comments Suárez made before the World Cup, when the veteran forward said he would never close the door on a potential return to Uruguay.
Forlán emphasized his close relationship with Suárez and highlighted the striker's continued ability to score goals.
“I have enormous affection for Luis. We have a lot of trust. If he is selectable, he is Uruguayan. Having a player like Luis, with experience, who has goals and continues to prove it every weekend, why not?”
The former striker also made it clear that Suárez's status in Uruguayan football remains unquestionable: “Nobody is going to question what Luis is.”
Suárez, now 39, said in April that he would never turn down Uruguay if he were called up. However, former head coach Marcelo Bielsa chose not to include the Inter Miami forward in Uruguay's World Cup squad.
Suárez said goodbye to international football in September 2024 following a goalless World Cup qualifying draw against Paraguay. His departure came amid public criticism of Bielsa and tensions within the national team.
Uruguay's all-time leading scorer has recorded 69 goals in 143 appearances for the Celeste and played at four World Cups: South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Now, with Forlán temporarily in charge, a return for one of Uruguay's greatest-ever players suddenly appears to be a possibility again.
