Messi and Suarez are close friends and are expected to reunite later this year at Inter Miami in the US, after playing for Barcelona for six seasons (from 2014 to 2020). Both have always wanted to retire playing for the same club. But before they can achieve their personal wishes, the two Argentine and Uruguayan players must continue to fight and compete for the national team.
Messi ( left ) and Suarez face each other for the first time since 2021 in national team colors
Suarez's career with the Uruguayan national team seemed to have ended after the 2022 World Cup (eliminated in the group stage). However, the 36-year-old player has recently revived, scoring consecutively and helping Gremio fly high in the Brazilian National Championship (currently ranked 3rd after Botafogo and Palmeiras, to continue competing for the championship in the last 4 rounds).
Suarez has scored 5 goals, had 3 assists and even won a penalty for Gremio in just 4 recent matches. Thanks to that, he was called back by coach Bielsa to the Uruguay team for the first time after nearly a year of absence, to prepare for the match against Argentina and then the match against Bolivia (November 22).
"Suarez has converted and assisted a large number of goals. Calling him back to the team is a way to show respect for the efforts of the individual player. Suarez also shows his importance in the team at this time. If Suarez played well but did not score, it might not be okay. But he plays well and scores regularly, showing that Suarez's special instincts are still there," said coach Bielsa.
Veteran coach Bielsa is an Argentinian who has been gradually reviving the Uruguayan national team since accepting to lead the team in May 2023. The 68-year-old coach made a big splash when he and the Uruguayan team convincingly defeated the Brazilian team with a score of 2-0 in Montevideo in October, rising to second place in the South American region with 7 points after 4 matches, only behind the Argentine team (12 points, 4 wins, 7 goals scored, no goals conceded). This is the second time in his career that coach Bielsa has led another team to face his homeland team, after his time as coach of the Chilean national team (2007 to 2011). Mr. Bielsa also coached the Argentine national team from 1998 to 2004.
Evaluating the meeting between the Argentine team and Messi, coach Bielsa admitted: "This is an emotional match for me personally. Just like stopping Messi, I really don't know what method or process is effective enough to deal with such an excellent player in the world . Sometimes, the most effective way is to ask Messi himself, what will stop him."
Match schedule on November 17
3 hours: Bolivia - Peru
5am: Venezuela - Ecuador
7am: Argentina - Uruguay
Colombia - Brazil
7:30 : Chile - Paraguay.
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