Uruguay: Three players to watch

Luis Suarez (Forward, 31, FC Barcelona)

La Celeste’s attack is one of the best in the planet because of Luis Suarez. The thirty-one years old, who was born in Salto, is the best striker in soccer right now. His performance with Barcelona has been impressive since he joined the team in 2014. In 130 games with the Catalan side, he has scored 110 goals. With the national team his numbers are very good, too. Since he made his debut with the senior team in 2007, he has scored 51 goals in 98 caps.

Suarez is arriving to Russia with a mission of helping Uruguay get to their third world championship. Moreover, he is coming to the World Cup with a lot of experience, but also with a sense of revenge.

He has been an important part for his side in the last two World Cups, but because different circumstances he has not been able to play the last match for his team in each of those tournaments. In 2010 in South Africa one of the most memorable world cup moments took place. During the quarter final match between Uruguay and Ghana, Luis Suarez hand ball saved a goal in the last minute of the match giving his team the opportunity to advance via Penalty kicks to the semifinal of that tournament. Because that hand ball, Suarez was awarded with a red card, missing therefore the semifinal match against the Netherlands, which Uruguay lost.

In 2014 during a group stage match against Italy, Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chellini, which is another memorable moment of the World Cups. Because of this incident, he missed not only the remaining of the tournament, but he was suspended for 4 months of all soccer competitions.      

This might be the last chance he will have to represent La Celeste in this important tournament, therefore, his actions and performance need to be as good as he has shown the world in his club career in the last years.

Edinson Cavani (Forward, 31, Paris St.-Germain)

Cavani is the perfect complement for Luis Suarez. The PSG forward is another key player for La Celeste. He was an important part of the team that qualified for Russia and he certainly wants to demonstrate he is an elite player.

Edison who is thirty-one years old and started his career with Danubio in Uruguay, has had an excellent career in Europe. Since he joined Paris Saint Germain he has scored 116 goals in 165 appearances for the French side. With the national team he has scored 42 times in 100 caps. This puts him as one of the best strikers in Uruguay history among with Luis Suarez.

The way he will complement Suarez in the attack will be important for Uruguay to succeed this summer in Russia.

Diego Godin (Defender, 32, Atletico de Madrid)

The Atletico de Madrid captain is one of the best in his position. The thirty-two years old central defender is a key player for Uruguay. He provides the balance and strength his team needs in defense. Also, he is a natural leader. This will help young players in his team, who are playing a World Cup for the first time. His experience will be very important for Uruguay. He has been having a tremendous career specially with Atletico, a team he joined in 2010 and which whom he has won La Liga and has been part of Champion League and Europa League finals.   

In addition of his ability as a defender, he is also a threat in offense. He certainly can score from set pieces, making him a complete player.

Since 2005 when he made his debut with the national team he has played 117 matches with La Celeste. In his resume we can find he has played World Cups, Copa America, and Confederations Cup among other tournaments.

Definitely this is a player that every coach would want to give order and control to the back line, and whom will be a key member of a Uruguay team who is looking for glory this summer in Russia.