Luis Suarez scored twice in his farewell match for Gremio because the Brazilian aspect defeated Fluminense 3-2 on the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. The 36-year-old Uruguayan soccer icon, who has been linked with a transfer to affix shut good friend Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, scored within the forty third minute after which bagged a second with a cheeky panenka from the penalty spot within the sixty fourth minute. The victory ensured Gremio completed second within the Brazilian championship, two factors behind champions Palmeiras because the season drew to an in depth on Wednesday.
It marked a becoming finale to what has been a stunning season in Brazilian soccer for Suarez, who lower brief his two-year take care of Gremio after one season saying the calendar was an excessive amount of for his getting old physique.
Main Gremio as captain, Suarez performed in 54 of the membership’s 64 matches in 2023, scoring a complete of 29 objectives.
He ended the yr because the second-highest objective scorer within the Brazilian league, with 17, inspiring down-on-its-luck Gremio to an unexpectedly strong season.
Suarez has declined to touch upon rumors linking him to a transfer to affix former Barcelona team-mate Messi in Miami, saying he desires to focus initially on his household and his well being.
“I really like this job, however it’s onerous waking up in ache each morning,” he stated final weekend. “I am hard-headed and I wish to maintain enjoying, however I do not know what comes subsequent.”
These feedback got here after he scored the lone objective in Gremio’s win over Vasco in his ultimate house match, incomes an emotional standing ovation from the sold-out crowd.
His stint at Gremio might have been a lame swan tune, coming after a return to his boyhood membership, Nacional, final yr, and tearful exit with Uruguay within the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
As a substitute, Suarez shone within the membership’s first season again in top-flight play after a painful relegation, serving to them to the Rio Grande do Sul state championship and state winners’ cup titles — the latter courtesy of a Suarez hat trick.
Porto Alegre quickly caught “Suarezmania:” the striker was named an honorary citizen, and the state authorities gave him a medal.
Attendance at Gremio’s stadium in the meantime doubled, and the membership registered file gross sales of jerseys and different paraphernalia.
Onerous to say “basta”
Followers and native politicians tried to speak Suarez out of his resolution to go away after he introduced his plans in July.
Making his departure harder, Gremio’s sturdy displaying this season means they’ve certified for the Copa Libertadores subsequent yr, the South American equal of Europe’s Champions League.
“I’d have beloved to play in that competitors. However my physique is looking the photographs,” Suarez stated.
“I want relaxation, recreation and time to suppose. It is onerous to say ‘basta’ (sufficient). Footballers are by no means prepared for retirement.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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