Diego Forlán, the recently appointed interim coach of the Uruguay national team, expressed his support for a possible call-up of Luis Suárez, one of the big names on the 2011 Copa América champion team. The speech, on August 11, 2026, marks a possible change of stance in relation to the player, who was away.
During a press conference, the former Uruguayan striker praised his former colleague on the field. He also made reference to the recent statement by Suárez, known as El Pistolero, in which the player indicated that he would readily accept a call to wear the national team shirt again.
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Forlán said he was not aware of Suárez’s statement, but stated that, if true, the attacker “will be welcome.” The coach highlighted his great appreciation for Luís and their mutual trust. “Having a player with your experience, who has an eye for goal and continues to show it every weekend, why not?”, asked the coach.
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Forlán added that the decision will be evaluated in the future, but emphasized that “no one will discuss who Luis Suárez is.”
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The partnership between Forlán and Suárez dates back to the 2010 World Cup, where Uruguay reached the semi-finals. In that tournament, Suárez had a notable episode when he was sent off for using his hand to block a goal from Stephen Appiah in the quarter-finals against Ghana. Both athletes were also champions of the 2011 Copa América.
The current Inter Miami striker had left the national team in September 2024, after a disagreement with then coach Marcelo Bielsa. Since then, he had received no new call-ups, making the opening of Forlán an important milestone for his possible return.