Luis Suarez Retires - Four biggest controversies of the Uruguay Legend

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Uruguay legend Luis Suarez has announced his retirement from international football. The striker confirmed that he will play his last match for Uruguay in Saturday's clash against Paraguay.

Luis Suarez has been a prominent figure in football, known for his exceptional skills and controversial moments. Despite being an outstanding footballer, controversies have been a constant part of his footballing journey. His career has been marked by several incidents that have sparked debates among fans and critics alike.

World Cup 2010 Handball

One of the most infamous incidents occurred during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final match between Uruguay and Ghana. Suarez used his hand to block a goal-bound shot in the dying moments of extra time. He was sent off, but Ghana missed the resulting penalty, and Uruguay eventually won the match in a penalty shootout. This incident earned Suarez both criticism and praise, with some viewing him as a hero for his team and others condemning his unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Biting Branislav Ivanovic

In 2013, while playing for Liverpool, Suarez was involved in another controversial incident when he bit Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League match. The incident was caught on camera, leading to widespread outrage.

Suarez received a ten-match ban from the Football Association (FA) for his actions. This was not the first time Suarez had been involved in such an incident; he had previously bitten PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax in 2010, which resulted in a seven-match ban.

Biting Giorgio Chiellini in World Cup 2014

Suarez, despite his previous issues, didn't learn from mistakes. During the 2014 World Cup group stage match between Uruguay and Italy, Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder.

The incident went unnoticed by the referees during the game, but FIFA later reviewed it and handed Suarez a four-month ban from all football-related activities, along with a nine-match international suspension.

Racially Abusing Patrice Evra

Off the field, Suarez has also faced criticism for his behaviour. In 2011, he was accused of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra during a Premier League match. Suarez abused Evra racially after Liverpool's defeat at the hands of the Red Devils. The FA found him guilty and handed him an eight-match ban along with a fine. Suarez denied the allegations but accepted the punishment.

Despite these controversies, Suarez remains one of the most talented strikers of his generation. His ability to score goals from seemingly impossible positions has earned him numerous accolades and admiration. As the Uruguay legend hangs his boot for his country, he shall be remembered for his goals, skills, and perhaps the infamous handball which has written his name in La Celeste history.