Sixteen years ago, the 'nuclear tooth' of Luis Suárez that shook Korea is finally set to tread on Korean soil in September... Uruguay coach hints at potential return, saying "Welcome anytime"

*This content was translated by AI.

Diego Forlán (47), the new head coach of the Uruguay national football team, has left open the possibility of Luis Suárez's (39, Inter Miami) return to the national squad. This has drawn attention to the potential success of Suárez's first visit to Korea.

According to sports specialist ESPN, Coach Forlán stated in a recent press conference upon his appointment: "If Suárez is willing to return, he will be welcomed anytime." He added, "He is still scoring goals and does not need to prove once again how exceptional a player he is."

Suárez announced his retirement from the national team after the match against Paraguay in September 2024. However, he had previously expressed his intention to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in North America. With Forlán, who led Uruguay to the semi-finals of the 2010 South Africa World Cup, now serving as coach, a return is considered highly likely. Suárez holds the record for most goals scored by Uruguay in A-matches (69 goals in 143 appearances).

Suárez's recent performance with his club also strengthens the case for his potential national team return. Playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, he continues to demonstrate exceptional goal-scoring ability despite approaching his 40s. Local analysis suggests that Uruguay's national team, which is undergoing a generational shift with young talents like Federico Valverde and Darwin Núñez as its core, needs the experience and leadership of a veteran.

Uruguay is scheduled to play friendly matches against Japan on September 24 and South Korea on the 28th as part of an Asian tour. If Suárez is included in the September roster, it will mark his first-ever visit to Korea.

Previously, Suárez had two opportunities to visit Korea, both of which fell through. In September 2014, he was excluded from the squad due to disciplinary action following the so-called 'nuclear tooth incident,' where he bit an opponent during a World Cup qualifier against Brazil. In 2018, he missed the trip to South Korea citing his wife's childbirth as the reason.

Furthermore, the enduring connection between Korea and Uruguay is once again being highlighted. Korea not only lost to Uruguay in the Round of 16 at the 2010 South Africa World Cup but also faced them in the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, resulting in a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Attention is now focused on whether Suárez, who was 39 years old and scored multiple goals to frustrate Korea's advancement to the quarter-finals in 2010, will once again wear the Uruguay jersey and step onto Korean soil.

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*This content was translated by AI.