"Why not?" Diego Forlán takes charge and reopens Uruguay's national team door for Luis Suárez

Diego Forlán has opened the door for a potential return of veteran striker Luis Suárez to the Uruguayan national soccer team, just weeks after taking over as interim coach. "Why not?" Forlán stated during his presentation, directly addressing the possibility of recalling the 39-year-old forward.

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Why not?

Forlán emphasized Suárez's enduring quality and experience. "I have enormous affection for Luis. We have a lot of confidence. If he is selectable, he is Uruguayan. To have a player like Luis, with experience, who scores goals and continues to demonstrate it every weekend he plays, why not?" he asked, adding, "Nobody will dispute what Luis is."

Suárez himself expressed in April that he would "never say no to the national team" if called upon. However, he was notably excluded from the squad by then-coach Marcelo Bielsa for the 2026 World Cup. Suárez, Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 143 appearances, last represented his country in a goalless draw against Paraguay in September 2024. Following that match, he was openly critical of Bielsa's management and its impact on team morale.

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I have enormous affection for Luis. We have a lot of confidence. If he is selectable, he is Uruguayan. To have a player like Luis, with experience, who scores goals and continues to demonstrate it every weekend he plays, why not?

Suárez has participated in four World Cups: 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. His potential return under Forlán would mark a significant shift in the national team's direction after their group-stage exit from the recent World Cup.

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Nobody will dispute what Luis is.