Marcelo Bielsa (foto: Getty Images)
Luis Suarez is reportedly set to miss Uruguay’s World Cup squad despite apologizing to coach Marcelo Bielsa after their explosive public conflict.
Luis Suarez appears set for a painful end to his legendary international career after reports in South America claimed he was left out of Uruguay’s provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup.
According to multiple reports, coach Marcelo Bielsa did not include Suarez even in Uruguay’s wider 55-man preliminary list submitted before the tournament.
The decision has caused major discussion in Uruguay because Suarez recently attempted to repair his relationship with the national team coach.
The veteran striker officially stepped away from international football in September 2024.
However, only weeks later, he launched a fierce public attack on Bielsa and his management methods.
Speaking to DSports, Suarez accused the Argentine coach of creating divisions inside the national team.
He claimed several players had even considered leaving the squad because of internal tensions.
Suarez specifically highlighted the treatment of midfielder Agustin Canobio during the 2024 Copa America.
According to Suarez, the player was humiliated by being forced to train separately and act as a ball collector.
The former Barcelona, Liverpool, and Atletico Madrid striker also alleged that Bielsa’s staff restricted normal interaction between coaches and players.
Despite the explosive criticism, Suarez later softened his position earlier this year.
In an interview with EFE in May, the 39-year-old admitted he regretted some of his comments and publicly apologized.
“I would never say no to the national team if they needed me, especially before the World Cup,” Suarez said.
“I said things I shouldn’t have. I apologized to the people I had to apologize to.”
“You realize there’s still life in you. You see that on the pitch, when you’re still angry about defeats and bad passes, but at the same time you still enjoy the goals.”
However, according to journalist Rodri Vazquez, the apology did not change Bielsa’s position.
Suarez is now expected to miss the fifth World Cup of his extraordinary career.
The striker remains Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 143 international appearances.
He represented Uruguay at every World Cup from 2010 onward and became one of the defining figures in the country’s modern football history.
If confirmed, his omission would officially close one of the most iconic international careers of the modern era.