Veterans of Charrúa blood: the record of Luis Suárez’s generation in Qatar 2022

They are legendary players from a country with 3 million inhabitants. Suárez, Cavani, Godín, Martín Cáceres and Muslera are part of this select group of veteran players who lead the Uruguayan squad in Qatar 2022. It is their fourth consecutive World Cup but their Uruguayan claw is the same as always.

Maestro Tabárez trusted them for the first time for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where a spectacular ‘Celeste’ won the hearts of thousands of soccer fans reaching the semifinals of the international tournament. Four years later in Brazil they fell in the round of 16 in a performance far from their best version.

Despite them, the five continued to be chosen as key players in a team that had a lot to give and assumed their role as an example to a new generation of players who joined the team. In Russia 2018 the story was different and they eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the quarterfinals. The illusion was still intact.

These footballers were present today in Qatar 2022. With Diego Alonso as coach of this team, Suárez, Godín and Cáceres entered World Cup history by being in the starting eleven against South Korea. Uruguay entered the field of Education City Stadium with three players aged 35 or over in their World Cup debut in the Arab country in what was the first match for group H. Also, Diego Godín became the oldest Uruguayan player in World Cups at 36 years and 281 days.

On the other hand, both Suárez and Cavani, who came on in the second half as a replacement for his teammate, are the all-time scorers for this Uruguayan team. With 68 goals in 134 games, Suárez takes the lead and is in first place. While, the Valencia striker follows him closely with 58 goals in 133 games.

Undoubtedly, Qatar 2022 will be an emotional World Cup for these five figures who, aware of the passage of time, know well that this could be their last participation in a World Cup. No one will be able to say that they did not give everything and that they defended the colors of the ‘Celeste’ like the best warriors in battle.