Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez said he knows he is getting closer to retirement, but he hopes to enjoy the final stretch of a stellar career, regardless of how many minutes he gets on the pitch at the Copa America.
Suarez is Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 68 international goals and although the 37-year-old has only come on as a substitute in two games in the tournament (with a total of eight minutes so far), he is not one to complain.
“I'm really enjoying every moment. It's something that at my age, as you get older, you enjoy more and more whether you play a lot or a little, because you know that the flame of football is fading,” Suárez told AUF TV.
“I'm just one more [player in the squad]You've already seen it. Playing or not playing, I'm happy with the role I play and trying to help in any way I can.”
Diego Simeone, once one of Europe's most feared strikers, had described a crucial period in the 2020-21 title race as entering the “Luis Suarez zone”, when the forward's experience guided them to their last league title.
But with Uruguay set to face Brazil in Saturday's thrilling quarter-final, Suarez is putting his trust in the young players emerging through the ranks to get the job done.
“I hope that [the zone] “If he doesn't appear in this Cup, that would mean that Uruguay is fine and that he is not needed. If it is necessary, we will be there because we hope to write another chapter in the national team,” he said.
“This group made a huge impact in the World Cup qualifiers by beating Brazil and Argentina. They earned that power on the pitch by showing that they can take on anyone… The time has come to prove it and it's a big test for us.”
Suarez has also mentored 25-year-old striker Darwin Nunez, who followed in his footsteps by signing for Premier League side Liverpool and has scored two goals in the competition.
“I try to help as much as I can. I was in Darwin's place, I was Darwin's age,” said Suarez.
“Crazy' [Sebastian Abreu] “He was the first to support me and today, being in that place, you have to be a motivation for him.”
