Uruguay's interim manager, Diego Forlán, has left the door open for a potential return of Luis Suárez to the national team. The question about the 39-year-old striker arose during Forlán's first press conference after taking charge, as reported by the South Korean outlet The Chosun Ilbo on August 29. The Uruguayan national team, currently sitting third in their World Cup group with 2 points from three games (0 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss), is seeking solutions after a five-match winless run.

What did Diego Forlán say about Suárez?

At his official unveiling, Diego Forlán was directly asked about the possibility of Luis Suárez returning to wear the sky-blue shirt. His response was brief yet telling: "Why not?". Forlán, who shared attacking duties with Suárez at two World Cups, took over on an interim basis following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa. He is expected to lead the senior side until the Uruguayan Football Association elections in 2027, while also maintaining his role as the U-20 coach. This change in the dugout comes at a difficult time for Uruguay's attack, which has scored only 3 goals in the current World Cup phase and is coming off a 0-1 loss to Spain on June 27. Their recent form shows 0 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss in their last five outings.

How is Luis Suárez performing currently?

Luis Suárez, the Uruguayan national team's historic striker, is experiencing a resurgence at MLS side Inter Miami. At 39 years old and despite chronic knee issues, the Uruguayan has scored 10 goals in the 2026 season, matching his tally from the previous campaign in less than half the minutes. He recently notched his first hat-trick since joining the American club. While his speed has diminished, his effectiveness in front of goal remains. In MLS regular season play, Suárez has 72 appearances with 40 goals and 21 assists, and he is Inter Miami's second-highest all-time scorer behind only Lionel Messi, with 52 official goals for the club in total.

His recent career path included a stint at Atlético Madrid, where he scored 13 goals in 45 matches in the 2021-2022 season, before returning to Uruguay to play for Nacional. He then had a successful spell at Brazil's Grêmio, with 29 goals in 54 games and two domestic league titles, before finally joining Inter Miami's veteran star project, where he has already won two championships, including the 2025 MLS Cup.

Why is a return being discussed now?

Calls for Suárez's return have grown in Uruguay due to the national team's evident scoring drought, which has lasted nearly two years. Former manager Marcelo Bielsa did not include Suárez in his squad for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament where Uruguay underperformed. Following that, Suárez, who had announced his retirement from international football, publicly criticized Bielsa's management style after the 2024 Copa América. However, the striker always left a door open, stating in the past that he could not absolutely say "no"to a call from the national team."While it’s true that Suárez has passed his prime, he is showcasing a level of performance that seems to turn back time. There is a possibility he could soon don Uruguay’s sky-blue jersey again."

What is next for Uruguay?

The immediate path for the Uruguayan national team is clear. They must prepare for their next official match, a friendly against Japan away on September 24. This fixture will be Diego Forlán's first real test in charge and an opportunity to evaluate options for the future. Fans can follow the preparation and lineup on our squad page.

With a recent run of 0 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss in their last five games, and a -1 goal difference (3 scored, 4 conceded), the need to find goals is urgent. The question about Suárez, therefore, is not just romantic but practical. If Forlán decides to call him up, it will depend on the striker's continued performance at Inter Miami, where he now shares scoring duties with Germán Berterame and has even taken on the team's captaincy. Time will tell if the experience and goal-scoring instinct of a legend can be the answer for a Celeste searching to find its way. For the full preparation schedule, check our fixtures.