There has been a generational change and new players have been tried in the friendly matches. They will do well.
I called Uruguay’s legendary manager, Oscar Tabarez, on Sunday to tell him first. He understood what I said and agreed that it is good to be remembered for what I had done when I was at my best. He also said it takes a lot of courage to stop. I called the other Uruguay trainers, people I have been very close to who really helped me in my career. We have been through so much together and they deserved to know before reading it publicly. I also messaged my teammates on a What’s App group we have. Maybe they will expel me from that group now!
But what memories I have, starting with singing the Uruguay national anthem before my debut – a friendly against Saudi Arabia 13 years ago. I was the proudest man alive that day; my dream had come true. I was playing for the mighty Uruguay, the team I had only watched on television. I scored, too.
A few months later I played in my first World Cup finals and scored one of my favourite ever goals, a volley against Senegal a few minutes after coming on for my competitive debut.