New Uruguay boss Diego Forlan has alluded to the possible return of Luis Suárez to the national team.
Forlan, Uruguay's third top scorer behind only Edinson Cavani and Suárez, was announced as both the U20 and senior coach until March 2027.
And in a news conference, Forlan immediately spoke of including Suárez in the Uruguay squad for the upcoming internationals.
He said: "I have enormous respect for Luis and a lot of trust in him.
"If he is up for selection, to be able to have a player like him, who scores goals, has experience and shows it week in, week out, why not [pick him]?
"We will see later, nobody will discuss what Luis is."
Suárez was not included in the World Cup squad by Marcelo Bielsa, in a hugely ill-fated campaign that saw the two-time World Champions knocked out in the group stage after failing to win a single match.
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In fact Suárez, who will turn 40 in January and now plies his trade alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, has not been capped since 2024.
But the former Ajax, Liverpool and Barcelona forward has said he will be available for selection should the call comes.
Forlan was surprised by this information but insisted he was welcome, adding: "Honestly I didn't know he had said that, but if he did, he is welcome."
Forlan and Suárez played together in the 2010 World Cup campaign that saw Uruguay reach the semifinals and Suárez sent off for denying Stephen Appiah's effort in the quarterfinal against Ghana with an iconic handball, while the pair also won the 2011 Copa America together.
