Luis Suarez: I want Messi to win the Copa America

After a shock 1-0 defeat to Venezuela on Thursday, Uruguay’s Copa America dream have come to an end as they are mathematically out of the tournament. Luis Suarez has now moved on from the setback and stated that he now hopes his teammates Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano win it with Argentina.

Uruguay were one of the favourites to lift the Copa America Centenario but they didn’t live up to expectations due to the fact that they missed Luis Suarez who is their key man. The striker picked up a hamstring injury when in action for Barça in the Copa del Rey final on May 22 and didn’t take part in Uruguay’s first group game of the tournament when they lost 3-1 to Mexico.

Everyone expected Suarez to feature for at least some minutes in Uruguay’s next group game but it didn’t happen. The player was seen furious on the bench as Uruguay lost 1-0 to Venezuela which officially saw the 2011 winners crash out of the tournament.

Luis Suarez said he wanted to play saying “I was ready to take the risks and that is why I came [to the game],” the player was quoted as saying by SPORT. “There were many Children with my shirt and I wanted to play for them and also for my son who came to see me. They ask why I didn’t play.”

The striker also reassured Barça fans that his mind will be set with FC Barcelona immediately after the Copa America.

“After the Copa America I’ll think about FC Barcelona. I believe next year will be good for Barça and Uruguay.”

Suarez also used the opportunity to thank Barça for taking a risk by releasing him for the tournament despite him not being fit.

“Barça was the first to know about the seriousness of my injury. Everyone said they would not let me play. If it had been, I had not been authorised to come. They know who I am so they let me come because they know I always want to play, I am grateful they, but they knew that Uruguay would not risk,” he said.

Luis Suarez also made it clear that he is unhappy about the setback but is now preparing for the future, setting his sight on the World Cup Qualifiers.

“It hurts, because it is a cup and also because Uruguayans always want to win and the last tournament did not go as we wanted. It was a way to reverse the situation. But now we have to think about the Qualifiers [for next World Cup]. The Copa America is something of the past.”

Suarez also analyzed the remainder of the tournament and mentioned that Brazil, Argentina and Chile are frontrunners to win the tournament but would love if Argentina lifts it as he has two teammates in Messi and Mascherano there.

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to help Argentina beat Panama 5-0 which saw them qualify for the quarter final and Luis Suarez acknowledged that his Barcelona teammate deserves to lift the trophy.

“Argentina are favourites. Brazil have also demonstrated a high level, but you have to see how they climb potential rivals. Chile are the defending Champions and are also considered.

“I support the team where I have the most number of teammates, so I would love Mascherano and Messi to win it with Argentina.

“Leo always does things that make the difference and he’ll be excited to win this Cup. I hope they win it,” he said.

Luis Suarez is likely to feature for Uruguay in their final group game of the tournament against Jamaica but he might sit out the tie out of precaution.