Uruguay icon Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, as the highest goal scorer for his nation with 69 goals.

The striker brought down the curtains on his 17-year-old career after earning 142 caps for his country, having made his debut in 2007. He was a key member of the Uruguayan squads that reached the 2010 World Cup semi-finals and won the Copa America, a year later.

He will make his last national appearance in the World Cup Qualifiers against Paraguay.

“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually. It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game, I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker said in an emotional press conference.

Suarez had said that one of his motives was to continue contributing to the team after he scored a stoppage-time goal against Canada to secure third place at the Copa America in July.

“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.

“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium. I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye to the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done, he added.

The 37-year-old had already announced that Inter Miami would be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer franchise last year.