Suarez drops retirement hint as ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star left "in pain"

04 December 2023 , 08:27

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Luis Suarez has hinted that he could retire (Image: Youtube)

Luis Suarez has hinted that he could retire from football following the former Liverpool star’s Gremio exit.

The striker has left the Brazilian side at the end of the 2023 season having hit 24 goals and provided 17 assists in 52 games in all competitions. Suarez is now a free agent and is on the lookout for a new club.

MLS side Inter Miami have been mentioned as potential suitors for his services in a move that would see the veteran reunited with friend and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi. However, he has now put a switch to the US in doubt with his latest comments.

Speaking after leaving Gremio, Suarez said: “I can feel pain, my body is speaking for me. I want to enjoy and then decide for myself after a long career. I need to rest, enjoy my family… then the destiny will know where I'll be in the future.”

Should Suarez decide to hang up his boots, it is a fitting end for the former Liverpool and Ajax star. He netted on his final appearance for Gremio in a 1-0 win against Vasco da Gama - a game in which he also captained the side.

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Speaking ahead of that match, Gremio boss Renato Gaucho had a series of kind words for the striker. He said: “Are we going to miss him? Certainly, without a doubt, he is very loved by everyone.

“I had the pleasure of working with a great professional, one of the best in the world, fourth highest scorer in the world. This void will remain for the next year, because it's not easy to find someone of his talent and ability.

Luis Suarez bid farewell to Gremio at the weekend (Getty Images)

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“When you find someone else, it's unfeasible to bring him in financially. Unfortunately, as I said before, it was very difficult for him to stay. Everyone wanted it, but only he could reverse this decision.

“Unfortunately, he will leave and there will be this vacuum in Gremio's attack. Then it's up to the board and president to try and find another striker. It was a great pleasure, not only for me but for the whole club. A guy who always gave himself, an exemplary professional.”

Suarez, 36, has put together a stunning goalscoring record throughout his career. After spells with Groningen and Ajax, he arrived at Liverpool in January 2011. He scored 82 goals in 133 appearances for the Reds before a big-money move to Barcelona - where the striker won the Champions League and four La Liga titles. He won another Spanish league title after a move to Atletico Madrid.

Daniel Orme