Inter Miami's Luis Suarez looking to prove his worth to Uruguay in bid for Copa America selection

After the 2022 World Cup, Suarez seemed to be out of the picture for the national team. La Celeste turned in a solid group stage in Qatar, but failed to advance to the knockouts after a late strike from South Korea against Portugal saw them go out on goals scored. Suarez, for his part, turned in a limited contribution, assisting once but failing to find the net across three games.

The arrival of the outspoken Bielsa at the helm saw the team undergo something of an evolution. He handed appearances to 14 uncapped players for friendlies at the start of 2023, and left both Suarez and Edinson Cavani at home.

Since then, La Celeste have been in fine form. Uruguay beat Brazil and Chile, while also snagging a draw against Colombia as they started their 2026 World Cup qualifying effort in impressive fashion. But after winning the Brazilian Serie A Player of the Year award for his 17-goal, 11-assist effort for Gremio in 2023, Bielsa recalled him to the squad. And although Suarez didn't feature in either fixture for his national team, his inclusion showed he might just have a role to play.

You'd struggle to find a player in recent years who has been more impactful for La Celeste. Suarez, of course, burst onto the scene in the 2010 World Cup under controversial circumstances. The forgotten backdrop to Suarez's infamous handball on the line against Ghana in South Africa was that the then-Ajax striker was one of the players of the tournament. He scored twice in the round of 16, and made his case for a big transfer after finishing the campaign with three goals and two assists.

He was even better at the 2011 Copa America, scoring four and setting up two as Uruguay won their 15th title - earning Player of the Tournament honours in the process. Further controversy marred his legacy on the international stage, including when he infamously bit Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup. Still, Suarez has found the net 68 times in 138 appearances for his national team - making him his nation's all-time top goalscorer.

This season, though, Suarez has made his case to return to the fold. Suarez scored six and assisted three in his first eight MLS games in Miami, keeping the Herons afloat as Lionel Messi struggled with knocks. He has since slowed down, but has reached double-digit goal contributions for the Eastern Conference leaders. Messi may be the one pulling the strings for the Herons, but Suarez's penchant for finding the net makes them a potentially elite team.

It marks a significant change from the aging forward who was forced into terminating his Gremio contract early just nine months ago. Back then, Suarez admitted that he was constantly playing in pain, and speculated that knee problems could end his career.

"The days before each game I take three pills and hours before playing I get an injection. If not, I can’t play. Hence the limp. I have to think that in maybe five years I won’t be able to play five-a-side football with my friends," he said in December 2023.

Knee pain notwithstanding, Suarez has made his mark for Miami. He hit the ground running, rekindled his fine connection with Messi, and has the Herons playing like MLS champions.

But there is competition in the Uruguay side. La Celeste's Copa America hopes rest largely on the shoulders of Darwin Nunez. The mercurial striker was equal parts deadly and chaotic for Liverpool last season, but still managed a tidy return of 18 goals in all competitions - all while struggling to carve out minutes in a competitive front line.

Still, he seems to have the faith of Bielsa, who entrusted him to lead the line when La Celeste took on Brazil in a major World Cup qualifying fixture in October. Nunez followed that with the first of his side's two goals against Argentina, and a brace in a drubbing of Bolivia five days later. He missed the last window with an injury - and Uruguay admittedly struggled without him.

And there might be competition in the returning Edison Cavani. He, too, has rediscovered some form of old, impressing for a surging Boca Juniors side. But there are similar concerns with his fitness and level of competition. Outside of that, La Celeste are limited up front, with Liga MX's Federico Vinas the only other option in forward areas.

Suarez knows that he likely won't be first choice for his country anymore. He has, in fact, admitted that Nunez might simply be the better option through the middle.

"I will try to help in any way I can. I am competing with one of the best number nines in the world in Darwin Nunez, I have to make the most of being here and enjoy it. What I have to do is contribute as much as I can,” the striker said in November 2023.

Either way, a starting birth may not be realistic. Bielsa's preferred style of football only further limits his prospects. The former Leeds boss was notorious for a "murder-ball" system that demanded relentless running, high pressing, and positional flexibility. At its best, it was devastating. At its worst, that setup was exhausting for his team - and certainly contributed to the manager losing his job in February 2022.

So, perhaps Suarez is best used as an impact substitute. Uruguay will certainly need a deadly finisher off the bench - especially if Nunez is set in his usual erratic ways. Having an experienced player who can enter the game late and take a chance is vital in tournament football. There's arguably no better striker than Suarez to take on that assignment.

In the broader picture, Suarez could be key if Uruguay are to make a run. Argentina are certainly favourites to win the tournament and complete a Copa America-World Cup-Copa America sweep. As long as Messi is fit, and Lionel Scaloni is at the helm, the Argentines will fancy themselves.

But outside of them, this appears to be a wide-open field. Brazil are well short of their usual quality, and are relying on an unproven teenager in Endrick to carry them to a major tournament win. The United States are improving, but lacking in a signature win that states their tournament credentials. Colombia, too, could make some noise - but aren't deep enough to be considered among the favourites.

Uruguay might just have their moment. This is the best squad they've had in years, with Real Madrid talisman Federico Valverde leading the way through the middle, and quality all over the pitch. Bielsa, too, is a top quality coach, who can certainly manage his way through a big game.

And perhaps Suarez could be the man to tie it all together, a reborn striker who - in a smaller role than he is used to - could bring his nation a first Copa America title in 13 years.