Suarez open to World Cup return

Luis Suarez, Uruguay's all-time leading scorer, said Wednesday he is open to returning to international football to play in this year's FIFA World Cup, reported Xinhua.

Suarez announced his retirement from Uruguay's national team in September 2024 after publicly falling out with manager Marcelo Bielsa.

The 39-year-old Inter Miami striker said he had since reconsidered his decision, insisting he harbors no ill feelings toward the Argentine coach, who has been in charge of the Celeste since May 2023.

"I said something I shouldn't have said," Suarez told reporters after a training session with the MLS club. "You have to own your mistakes and it's in the past now."

Suarez, who previously accused Bielsa of creating divisions inside the squad and treating players coldly, added that he had since "apologized to the relevant people."

"If they need me, I'm never going to say no to my country. As long as I'm still playing and still active, I'll always be there," he added.

Suarez has scored 69 goals in 142 international matches, is one of the few Uruguayan players to have participated in four World Cups and the first to take part in five qualifying campaigns.

He has scored two goals in eight games so far this season for Inter Miami, which he joined from Gremio in December 2023.

Uruguay will begin its World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on June 15 before facing Cabo Verde and Spain in Group H.