Striker Luis Suárez will play his last game for Uruguay on Friday.

Suárez was emotional as he announced he’s ending a 17-year international career after the World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at Centenario Stadium.

“I am retiring because I want to step aside. I am 37 years old, there are a lot of talented players, and I know it would be difficult to get to the next World Cup.

It is comforting to know I can retire on my terms and not have to retire due to injuries, or to not being called up. I want to say goodbye here, with my people. This is the ideal moment.”

Suárez made his debut in 2007 and is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 matches.

He played in four World Cups and five Copa America. He helped to lead the team to the title at the 2011 Copa, where he scored twice in the semifinals and the match-winner in the final and was named player of the tournament.

“It’s very difficult but I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team,” he said. “I will be just as excited as I was for my first national team appearance in 2007 when I was a 19-year-old kid.