Luis Suárez, the veteran Uruguayan striker, is demonstrating a remarkable resurgence in his career, sparking discussions about a potential return to the national team. Despite his age and past knee issues, the 39-year-old forward is performing at a high level for Inter Miami, leading to speculation about his future with the Celeste.
Suárez’s Stellar Performance in MLS
Suárez’s career has seen him play for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Atlético Madrid, where he scored 13 goals in 45 official appearances during the 2021-2022 season before leaving the European stage. He then moved to his native Uruguay with Nacional, netting 29 goals in 54 games and winning two domestic cups. His subsequent move to Inter Miami, joining stars like Lionel Messi, saw him continue to be a key offensive player.
During his time with Inter Miami, Suárez has experienced team success, winning two titles. He has recorded 52 official goals, making him the second-highest scorer in the club’s history behind Messi. In Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season play, he has amassed 40 goals and 21 assists in 72 appearances. While his blistering pace may have diminished, Suárez has maintained impressive productivity, contributing significantly to both goals and assists, defying expectations for a player in the twilight of his career.
The 2026 Season: A New Chapter
The 2025 MLS season saw a slight dip in Suárez’s individual statistics, even as Inter Miami secured the MLS Cup. However, the 2026 season has marked a significant resurgence for the striker. Initially starting the season as a substitute under coach Javier Mascherano, Suárez’s role evolved. With the arrival of new signing Leonardo Vélez, Suárez and Vélez began sharing the goal-scoring duties. When coach Gerardo Martino opted to field both strikers together, Inter Miami’s attack flourished.
Suárez has already scored 10 goals in the 2026 season, reaching the same goal tally as the entirety of the 2025 season with less than half the playing time. Projections suggest that if he maintains this form, he could approach the 20-goal mark he achieved in his debut season with Inter Miami. He has also scored his first hat-trick for the club and has been a consistent starter, demonstrating remarkable form considering his age and knee condition.
Calls for a National Team Return
Suárez’s revitalized performance has fueled calls from within Uruguay for his return to the national team, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. Uruguay has struggled with a consistent goal-scoring threat for nearly two years. Following the 2022 World Cup, where the team underperformed, questions arose about whether Suárez’s presence could have altered the outcome.
Although Suárez had previously announced his retirement from the national team, he once stated, “I can never say never” when asked about a potential return. His disappointment at missing the World Cup reportedly fueled his continued dedication in MLS. The possibility of a national team comeback gained traction with the recent appointment of Diego Forlán as the interim coach for the senior national team, following his role with the U-20 squad.
Forlán’s Influence and Suárez’s Past Comments
Forlán, who played alongside Suárez in two World Cups, has taken over the interim coaching role for the Uruguayan senior team until the Uruguayan Football Federation elections in 2027. When questioned about Suárez’s potential return during his introductory press conference, Forlán’s response was simple: “Why not?” The deep connection between the two players, forged during their time leading Uruguay’s attack, strengthens the possibility.
Uruguay’s ongoing struggle to find a reliable successor to Suárez and Edinson Cavani further bolsters the argument for his return. However, a significant hurdle remains. Suárez publicly criticized coach Marcelo Bielsa’s management style and training methods after the 2024 Copa América, citing a lack of communication within the squad and overly restrictive training environments. This led to divisions within the team, with differing opinions on whether such issues should be aired publicly or resolved internally.
Bielsa, a highly regarded coach who led Uruguay to a third-place finish in the 2024 Copa América after eliminating Argentina and Brazil in the qualifiers, ultimately saw his tenure end without resolving the internal conflict. Suárez did not return to the national team under Bielsa, and Bielsa’s time with the team concluded unsatisfactorily. Now, with Forlán at the helm, Suárez may have a final opportunity.
The Road Ahead for Suárez
Whether Suárez will aim for the 2028 Copa América, by which time he would be 41, or opt for a short-term return to support Forlán’s coaching tenure remains undecided. However, with the national team lacking a clear attacking alternative, his scoring prowess is increasingly difficult to ignore.
Throughout his career, Suárez has consistently turned adversity into motivation. Despite controversies, knee problems, and the perception that his best years are behind him, he continues to be a pivotal attacking force for a top MLS team. Many have written off Suárez’s era, but he continues to defy those predictions by scoring goals. For “Lucho,” there is still more to show.
