Uruguay's interim manager Diego Forlán has outlined a future for the national team without Luis Suárez. The legendary striker, now at Inter Miami, appears to have ended his international cycle after the 2024 Copa América.
Forlán, 47, took over the role in August following Marcelo Bielsa's departure after Uruguay's group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup. His first test in charge was a September tour of Asia, where the team showed a renewed face. An opening 3-1 loss to Japan was followed by a commanding 4-1 away win over South Korea and an emphatic 6-1 victory against India on October 6, a match in which the team needed only 18 minutes of play to score its first three goals.
Positive assessment
The manager valued the group's performance in these matches. "Everything on the tour 'was very positive'," explained Forlán, who also described his first experience as head coach as an "enormous enjoyment". Goals in the rout of India came from Darwin Núñez, Matías Araujo (two), Rodrigo Zalazar, Jorge Sanabria and Rodrigo Aguirre. Fans can review the individual performance of these players in our stats section.
With the next Copa América scheduled for 2028, Forlán said it is 'difficult' to imagine a return of Luis Suárez to the Uruguayan national team. The coach held conversations with the all-time top scorer during the tour, but his participation was not a priority. Suárez, part of the golden generation that won the 2011 Copa América and finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup alongside Forlán and Edinson Cavani, ended his international career after a third-place finish at the 2024 Copa América.
Next challenges
Forlán's path continues with two FIFA friendlies in November, matches that will serve to further polish the project. Additionally, the former striker will also coach the U-20 team at the South American Championship between January and February 2027. His interim contract as head coach runs until March of that same year, when the AUF leadership will decide whether to confirm him in the role permanently.
Meanwhile, the squad has players in top form. Federico Valverde, who missed the tour with an ankle injury, has already returned to Real Madrid's starting lineup. Forlán confirmed he spoke with the midfielder when the injury occurred.
First reported at tribunanoticias.mx
