How Suarez can break Messi's record in World Cup qualifiers

Luis Suarez, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, is set to make his long-awaited return to the national team after being named in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia. The Gremio striker, who has not played for his country since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Uruguay failed to advance from the group stage, is eager to reclaim his place as the top scorer in South American qualifying history.

Suarez, who has 68 goals in 137 caps for Uruguay, is currently two goals behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who leads the chart with 33 goals. The 36-year-old could also surpass his former Barcelona teammate Diego Godin as the most capped player in World Cup qualifiers for Uruguay, as he trails the defender by only three appearances.

Marcelo Bielsa’s call-up list for the November World Cup qualifiers

Returning
• Suarez of @Gremio 🇧🇷
• Bentancur of @SpursOfficial 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
• Josema of @Atleti 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/vPIjhYiNmK
— Uruguay Football ENG (@UruguayFootENG) November 13, 2023

@Twitter

However, Suarez will have to cope without his usual partner in attack, Edinson Cavani, who has been ruled out of the squad due to a muscle injury he sustained while playing for Boca Juniors. Cavani’s absence opens the door for Federico Vinas, who plays for Mexican club Leon, to join Suarez in the front line.

Uruguay, who are second in the qualifying table with seven points from four games, face a tough challenge against Argentina, who are unbeaten and lead the standings with 12 points. The two rivals will clash on Friday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, where Suarez could renew his friendship and rivalry with Messi. The pair formed a formidable duo at Barcelona between 2014 and 2020, winning four La Liga titles and one Champions League trophy together.

Suarez and Messi have also been linked with a possible reunion at Inter Miami, the MLS club owned by David Beckham, as both players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the year. However, Suarez has not confirmed his future plans yet and is focused on helping Uruguay secure its place at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

After facing Argentina, Uruguay will return home to host Bolivia, who are bottom of the table with no points and have conceded 15 goals in four games. Uruguay will hope to extend their unbeaten record against Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers, which dates back to 1997.