(Reuters) – Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez knows retirement is approaching but, regardless of how many minutes he plays in the Copa America, the veteran wants to enjoy the final moments of his glittering career.
Suarez is Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 68 international goals, and the 37-year-old only made two substitute appearances in the Copa America, playing a total of eight minutes, but he's not one to complain.
“I am enjoying every moment very much and at my age, the older I get, whether I play a lot or a little, the more I enjoy it because I know that the flame of football is going out,” Suarez told AUF television.
“I'm just one of the guys, as you all already know. Whether I play or not, I'm happy with my role and I try to contribute as much as I can.”
Once one of the most feared strikers in Europe, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone described a key period in the 2020-21 title race as entering the “Luis Suarez zone” and said the striker's experience helped his team win the last league title.
But Uruguay are due to face Brazil in a hard-fought quarter-final on Saturday and Suarez is trusting his developing young players to get the job done.
“I hope there will be no zones in this Copa, because it will mean Uruguay are in good form and they won't be needed. If they are needed we will be there because we want to write a new chapter for the national team,” the coach said.
“This group did a big job beating Brazil and Argentina in World Cup qualifiers. They showed they can beat anyone on the pitch and they've earned it. Now it's time to prove it. This is a big test for us.”
Suarez has also been mentoring 25-year-old striker Darwin Nunez, who has moved to Premier League side Liverpool and scored two goals in the competition.
“I try to help as much as I can. I was in the same position as Darwin, the same age,” Suarez said.
“El Loco (Sebastian Abreu) was the first to support me and today, being there, I have to be an inspiration to him.”
(Reporting by Rohit Nehru in Bengaluru; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
