At Carrasco International Airport, with the Uruguay staff preparing for the long journey to Sendai, Diego Forlán explained why Luis Suárez will not join La Celeste for its upcoming Asian tour. The interim coach said the Inter Miami forward has chosen to devote his attention to club football, despite remaining available in principle for Uruguay.
Suárez steps back for the September and October tour
- Uruguay will play three friendly internationals between 24 September and 6 October, facing Japan, South Korea and India during the FIFA window.
- Forlán’s travelling group will include centre-forwards Martín Satriano, Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Viñas and Darwin Núñez.
- Suárez, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, was not selected after discussions with the interim manager. Forlán said the player understood the situation and preferred to concentrate on his current club commitments.
Forlán stressed that Suárez’s omission was not based on a lack of form or a breakdown in communication. He said their friendship has remained unchanged since he took charge of the national side and that they speak directly and regularly.
The former Atlético Madrid and Villarreal striker said Suárez could have been called up, noting that the veteran continues to produce strong performances. But with the 2028 Copa América still some distance away, Suárez felt this was the right moment to prioritise Inter Miami.
A door not formally closed
When Forlán was introduced on 10 August as Uruguay Under-20 coach and interim senior manager, he had made clear that Suárez had not been ruled out. He said a fit, eligible Uruguayan with the forward’s experience and finishing ability should always be considered.
Suárez had also stated on 1 April, before the World Cup, that he would never refuse a call from the national team if asked. Marcelo Bielsa, then Uruguay coach, nevertheless left him out of the squad for the tournament, where Uruguay exited in the group stage without recording a victory.
A complicated recent international past
- Suárez’s last appearance for Uruguay came in September 2024, when the side drew 0-0 with Paraguay in World Cup qualifying.
- After that match, the former Barcelona and Atlético Madrid forward announced his international farewell.
- He subsequently criticised Bielsa, saying the Argentine coach had created tension within the Uruguay dressing room.
Forlán’s comments in Carrasco present the current absence in different terms: not a definitive selection verdict, but a decision shaped by Suárez’s own priorities as Uruguay begins its trip through Japan, South Korea and India.
