English Premier League
Diego Forlan opens door to Luis Suarez return for Uruguay
Diego Forlan says Luis Suarez could return to the Uruguay squad after the veteran striker was controversially left out of the team’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
Forlan, who has taken over as Uruguay manager from Marcelo Bielsa, said he would be willing to recall Suarez if the forward remained available to play for the national side.
“I have great appreciation for him. If he is available to play with us, then why not? No-one can question his abilities,” Forlan said at the news conference held to mark his appointment.
Suarez was omitted from Uruguay’s squad for the most recent tournament by Bielsa, who left the team after their shock first-round exit at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. That early elimination came as a major surprise to supporters and the wider football community in Uruguay.
A return for Suarez would represent a significant reversal for the former Uruguay captain and one of the country’s most recognisable players. However, Forlan stressed that the experienced striker would not necessarily be brought back simply to solve a shortage of goals.
“We have many players who can score goals. The problem is not scoring goals and that is not what concerns me. We have great players in the attacking positions,” he said.
His comments suggest that any recall would be viewed as a broader sporting decision, with Suarez’s quality and experience potentially adding to the squad rather than filling a specific weakness in attack.
Forlan also spoke about the experience he intends to bring to his first-team responsibilities. The former Uruguay international said his playing career had given him knowledge that he could now pass on to the current generation.
“I trust that I can pass on my accumulated experience. Coaching is a profession that I enjoy very much,” Forlan said.
The new manager indicated that his plans extend beyond the senior side and include developing Uruguay’s younger players. He said the country’s under-20 team would be an important part of his work, while the senior squad is due to play matches in March.
“As for the under-20 team, I like developing them. As for the first team, there will be matches in March and it will be an honour to coach them and give them my extensive experience,” he said.
Forlan’s appointment therefore comes with a dual objective: preparing the senior team for its immediate fixtures while also helping to develop the next generation of Uruguay players. His comments about Suarez provide the first major indication of how he may reshape the national side after Bielsa’s departure.
The possibility of Suarez returning to international football is likely to attract significant attention, given his previous exclusion and Uruguay’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 World Cup. Forlan has not confirmed that the striker will be selected, but made clear that the door remains open if Suarez is able and willing to play.
