Uruguay forward Luis Suarez refused to say whether his team’s victory over Canada in the Copa America third-place playoff on Saturday would be his last international appearance.
Suarez came off the bench to score a 92nd-minute equaliser and force a penalty shootout at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The 37-year-old then converted Uruguay’s fourth spot-kick as the Celeste prevailed 4-3 in the shootout.
“Today, the important thing is to appreciate and value the effort of the whole team, and in my case that is the only focus,” Suarez said after the match.
The Inter Miami forward, who is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 international appearances, had to settle for a bit-part role in this tournament.
His lack of opportunities has led to speculation that Saturday’s clash could have been his last in the Celeste shirt. But the former Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker was non-committal when asked about his future with the national team.
“I think that it is difficult to be motivated for these types of matches [third place playoffs],” he said. “But there is always the motivation and pride within ourselves that we had today, that is competing for the shirt of this country and what it represents for a lot of us.”
“After the loss the other day [to Colombia], there’s no better way to finish [this competition] than with a victory today. It’s good to take the positive things and correct the negatives.”
Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa said Suarez still had something to offer at international level.
“The level he showed with the minutes he played and in training, his technical skill and physical aptitude all allow him to aspire for a starting position,” Bielsa told reporters after the game.
“Besides the goal, he contributed by helping us to dominate possession and create scoring chances. Having shared all this time with him, I ratify him as a top-notch player, a great teammate, and he was incredibly supportive on and off the pitch.”
