Lucho provided insights into daily life with Loco, expressing that during the Copa América, several players suggested not continuing, and recounted what transpired between the coach and Canobbio: “The situations that occurred hurt me deeply.”
Luis Suárez’s Criticism of Marcelo Bielsa
After retiring from the Uruguay national team, Luis Suárez shared details about his relationship with Marcelo Bielsa, noting that during the Copa América in the United States, some players considered stepping away from the Celeste. He also explained what daily life is like at the Complex, mentioning that employees cannot even greet them. “The relationship with Bielsa was solely professional,” Suárez mentioned in an interview with DSports of Uruguay, noting that the “first personal conversation” he had with the Argentine coach occurred just before the Copa América. “A dialogue during training when he was putting pressure on me and a discussion we had at halftime in La Bombonera regarding a situation with Darwin (Núñez) were the only exchanges I had with him before he called me up for the Copa América,” he acknowledged.
Suárez admitted that “Leaving with the affection of the people brought me more than peace,” highlighting, “I didn’t want to leave the way some colleagues did, which is unfortunate. I was fortunate, privileged, to leave like this: with the people, with my children, with my family, surrounded by those who supported me all the time.” He then criticized Loco: “We all know that he is not one for engaging with supposed leaders or experienced players; he dislikes it. I preferred to avoid all that because the selection was above it. I didn’t want to get involved at that moment since I was part of the national team and didn’t want to become part of a problem.” Lucho responded to whether he tried to discuss certain situations with Loco, emphasizing, “They did suggest things I didn’t tell him, but he hinted at them, and it seemed better to stay silent to avoid friction. There were incidents during the Copa América that hurt me a lot. We had to remain silent out of respect for the team.” One of these incidents involved mistreatment of Agustín Canobbio (now at Paranaense), which Suárez recounted: “It wasn’t a ball catcher who was sidelined, but rather he was included in the sparring part, passing to the sparring partners, who had to make the movements players would make. You cannot treat a player among the 26 in the Copa América as if he were a sparring partner. I understand Agus; I’m going to support him on this. It’s understandable, and he held back considerably. It was normal for it to reach that point.”
“The players will eventually reach a limit; they will explode… During the Copa América, there were teammates who even said, ‘Luis, I’m playing in the Copa América, and I’m done.’ You start thinking and realize, ‘We are reaching a critical point.’ Then it passes; all that heals, and you proceed because you love your country, you love the team, and we all desire to represent our nation,” added the Inter Miami player.
The Atmosphere at the Celeste Complex
Suárez also shared details about the environment within the concentration and lamented the atmosphere now present in the facilities of the Uruguayan national team. “The equipment staff, physiotherapists, cooks, and the Complex staff loved working with Maestro (Tabárez), coach Ortega, and Tornado Alonso, regardless of their demands. They’d work till 4 AM and rise by 9. It’s not like that anymore. It’s about letting me enjoy my moment, knowing I’m here with Luis, with Fede (Valverde), with Josema (Giménez), with Nico (De la Cruz)… I’m working for them and enjoying it. All that has been lost in the complex today,” Suárez stated.
“In my last call-up, they were playing pranks, and I saw them passing by, looking to see who was playing pranks. There are things that catch my attention. You could go to the Complex, and I’m not lying; you had meals or a snack while watching football on the TV. Today, there’s a hidden TV, everything is off, and it’s all silent. It’s like you come in and wonder, ‘Where am I?’” he added. “They used to let employees in to greet and dine with us. Now, they have to be careful until they reach the door where they enter. It breaks my heart that people at the Complex are living like this today,” Suárez continued, sending a message: “Tomorrow, I ask people not to approach the players if something isn’t right. Bielsa has separated the entire group even in training.”
In conclusion, Suárez recounted a situation that encapsulated the relationship between the squad and Bielsa: “Many players held a meeting to request the coach at least say good morning to us, not even a simple hello.” In a part of the extensive interview with DSports, Lucho revealed that El Loco forbade them from interacting with fans waiting for them at the hotel upon their arrival. The former Barcelona player, among others, acknowledged that at that moment, they decided not to heed the Argentine coach’s directives and described the team’s reaction during a tactical talk in which Bielsa stated that “Uruguay plays for the people.”
Suárez Shared Details of One of His Last Conversations with Bielsa
From absence to retirement: Suárez’s experience under Bielsa as coach. Bielsa was appointed as coach of Uruguay on May 15, 2023, and the first thing he did was renew the squad, leaving Luis Suárez (and also Edinson Cavani) out of the national team despite their strong performances at Gremio de Porto Alegre. The Coach first called Suárez up for the double date of the South American Qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia in November of the previous year; he didn’t play in the victory at La Bombonera and spent just over a quarter of an hour on the field at the Centenario.
“We have mutual respect with Marcelo, as coach to player and vice versa. You realize that the teammates who were with him learned a lot and are experiencing a nice phase,” the Gunslinger remarked in an interview with Clank Media after their initial interaction. In 2024, Suárez was not called up for the first friendlies but participated in the Copa América in the United States, where he played in four of six matches (all as a substitute) and scored a goal in the third-place match against Canada. On September 7, at the Centenario, Lucho began the South American Qualifiers against Paraguay and bid farewell to La Celeste with a 0-0 draw.
Lucho’s Insights on Life with Loco: The Uruguay National Team Experience
Lucho’s Relationship with Marcelo Bielsa
In a candid interview with DSports, Luis Suárez detailed his relationship with Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa as being strictly professional, noting that their only significant conversations took place around training sessions and match preparations.
“The first conversation on a personal level was just before the Copa América,” Suárez stated, emphasizing the lack of personal interaction until shortly before the tournament. He mentioned a dialogue during halftime of a crucial match as their only pre-tournament interaction.
Day-to-Day Life Despite Challenges
Reflecting on life at the Complex, Suárez expressed his concerns over the atmosphere among players and staff. “The props, the physios, the cooks, and everyone used to enjoy working at the Complex,” he lamented, pointing out the stark contrast to the current climate where staff feel distanced from the players and their morale seems diminished.
He detailed how, under Bielsa’s management, employees now have to refrain from casual greetings, turning their workplace into a more formal environment. “It breaks my heart that the people at the Complex have to live like this,” he remarked.
Emotional Reflections on the Copa América
The emotional toll of the Copa América was evident as Suárez highlighted that the atmosphere was so strained that some players considered stepping away from the tournament altogether. “In the Copa América, there were teammates who even said, ‘I’m playing the Copa América and I’m not continuing,'” he recalled, “That shows how difficult things were.” This sentiment underscored the deep emotional fatigue experienced by players under Bielsa’s leadership.
Support for Teammate Agustín Canobbio
Suárez recounted a specific incident involving Agustín Canobbio, who faced mistreatment during training. “You cannot treat a player among the 26 in the Copa América like a sparring partner,” Suárez asserted, showing his solidarity with Canobbio while emphasizing how such actions can severely affect player morale.
The Disconnect with Staff and Players
Suárez noted a disturbing lack of communication and appreciation from Bielsa towards the players. “Many players held a meeting to ask the coach to at least say good morning,” he emphasized, describing the team’s overwhelmingly respectful but fractured dynamics.
He also recalled instances where Bielsa imposed restrictions on player interactions with fans, stating, “He forbade us from having contact with supporters who were waiting for us at the hotel.” This further contributed to a growing divide between the coaching staff and players.
Insights on Individual and Team Dynamics
During his tenure under Bielsa, which began in May 2023, Suárez faced a challenging transition. The coach’s decisions to prioritize a renewal of the national squad resulted in Suárez, along with other seasoned players, being sidelined despite their past contributions. “We have mutual respect with Marcelo,” Suárez mentioned, but it was clear that there were underlying tensions stemming from Bielsa’s approach to player management.
Team Spirit vs. External Management
Suárez’s departure from the national team was emblematic of a larger issue. Players were feeling unsupported and disconnected not only from Bielsa but also from each other. “You realize the colleagues who were with him learned a lot and are living a nice stage,” he reflected, recognizing that the positive experiences of some are in stark contrast to his own.
What Lies Ahead for the Uruguay National Team?
As Uruguay moves forward, the challenges faced during Suárez’s period under Bielsa serve as a critical learning point. Questions about cohesion, player morale, and management styles will likely dominate discussions as the team aims to bolster its performance in future competitions.
Key Takeaways
- The importance of maintaining a positive interaction between players and coaching staff.
- Building a supportive environment is crucial for success within the team dynamics.
- Addressing player concerns can lead to better results and improved morale.
Reflection on Legacy
As Suárez transitions away from international play, his insights into the tumultuous nature of his recent experiences with the national team underline the necessity for change. The distinct dichotomy between love for country and the pressures of performance creates an environment ripe for emotional and professional turmoil.
