Luis Suarez in tears as Liverpool and Barcelona hero drops major retirement announcement

Luis Suarez broke down in tears after announcing his decision to bow out of international football following Uruguay's match with Paraguay in Montevideo this Friday.

During an emotionally charged press briefing on Monday, the former Liverpool and Barcelona striker confirmed he is hanging up his boots for the national team after a prestigious career as one of Uruguay's all-time greats. The veteran, aged 37, will leave the field as Uruguay's all-time leading scorer, netting 69 times across 142 caps and steering them through a golden period that included clinching the Copa America in 2011.

The controversial Inter Miami striker, previously a prolific scorer for Liverpool and Barca, Suarez, said in a tearful address: "I leave with the peace of mind that I gave everything for the national team until Friday. I have no regrets. There is no better pride in oneself than knowing when the right moment to retire is and luckily I am confident that I am retiring from the national team because I want to take a step aside.

"I am 37 years old and I know that it is very difficult to get to the next World Cup. It comforts me a lot that I can retire and not for my injuries to retire me, or to stop being called up. It is very helpful to want to take that step aside and feel ready. It is difficult because the decision was not easy.

"But I go with the peace of mind that until the last game I gave my all, and that the flame did not burn out slowly and that is why I made the decision that it should be now."

Suarez revealed his ambition was for his children to see him lift silverware for his nation. He postponed his retirement beyond this summer's Copa America as he wished to bid farewell in a game at home.

"I want my children to live this