Some Ghanaians on social media have reacted to Luis Suarez’s retirement from international football, describing him as the ‘worst nightmare’ in Ghana’s football history.
Suarez is remembered by most Ghanaians for his handball that partly denied the Black Stars the chance of becoming the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
In the final minutes of the quarter-final match at the 2010 World Cup, the striker made an audacious effort to stop a goal-bound header that could have seen Ghana win the game.
Suarez was shown a red card, and Ghana’s all-time top scorer went on to miss the decisive penalty, which was the last kick of the game. Uruguay went on to win the match 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Fourteen years after the incident, the 37-year-old has announced his retirement from the national team.
He made the announcement ahead of Uruguay’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Saturday, which will be his last appearance for his country.
"I’ve been thinking about this and analyzing this. I believe this is the right time," said Suarez.
"I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team. I'll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I played for my national team for the first time.
"That 19-year-old kid is now a veteran player, an older player—however you want to call it—with an incredible history with the national team, that will give his life for the team."
Suarez is Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 appearances. He made his debut against Colombia in February 2007.
Below are some of the comments from Ghanaians:
Ghana’s worst nightmare
— 90+5 FC (@90plus5FC) September 3, 2024
All thanks to Asamoah Gyan for missing the penalty 😫
He should visit Africa we want to greet him for that handball against Ghana
— Macosta 🇰🇪 (@Macosta2547) September 3, 2024
He should visit Africa we want to greet him for that handball against Ghana
— Macosta 🇰🇪 (@Macosta2547) September 3, 2024
Nightmare for Ghana.
— CruiseUTD (@CruiseUTD) September 3, 2024
I can’t never forget that against Ghana.
— Sammy 𝕏 (@sammyX39) September 3, 2024
Luis Suarez did everything he could to get Uruguay to semifinal.
2010 was pretty special World Cup ⚽️🔥 pic.twitter.com/yyIIylbmnx
Lol 😂🤣😹 hahaha 😂🤣
— Charles David Van-Dyck (@CharlesDavidVa2) September 3, 2024
Ghana could have won the world Cup if only Suarez retired earlier lol 😂🤣😹
And Asamoah Gcan’t missed the penalty.
— Depresivamente Diabólico (@GermanBrass) September 3, 2024
As a Ghanaian, we ll never be free of Luis Suarez
— Nana Yaw Infinity ⚡️❄️ (@NanaYawNketia7) September 3, 2024
Bro is forever in the history books of Ghana
Luis Suarez’s deliberate handball in the 2010 World Cup broke hearts of many Africans.
— New Sheriff⚓ (@NewsheriffUtd) September 3, 2024
Ghana was to become the First African country to qualify for the semi final but a penalty miss by Asamoah Gyan sent Uruguay to the Semispic.twitter.com/GHqMJGhO72
Luis Suarez has retired from international football. He’ll be remembered well in Ghana https://t.co/OqKa3yyRTW
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) September 3, 2024
As a Ghanaian, we ll never be free of Luis Suarez
— Nana Yaw Infinity ⚡️❄️ (@NanaYawNketia7) September 3, 2024
Bro is forever in the history books of Ghana
I can’t never forget that against Ghana.
— out Of Control (@itz_Suresh__Vj) September 3, 2024
Luis Suarez did everything he could to get Uruguay to semifinal.
2010 was pretty special World Cup ⚽️🔥 pic.twitter.com/3yUxaXiRgc
Ghana hasn't gotten their revenge since 2010 till date.
— Hanteywhite 🇳🇬 ♥️ YNWA (@Dat_Oronboy) September 3, 2024
Ghana hasn't gotten their revenge since 2010 till date.
— Hanteywhite 🇳🇬 ♥️ YNWA (@Dat_Oronboy) September 3, 2024
JNA/EK
