Luis Suarez, Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer, has launched a scathing attack on former manager Marcelo Bielsa, accusing him of creating a toxic atmosphere within the national team during the 2024 Copa America.
Suarez, who recently retired from international football, claims that Bielsa’s divisive tactics and mistreatment of senior players led to a lack of enjoyment and underperformance among the squad.
“I will ask the fans not to take it out on the players when things go wrong,” Suarez said. “Bielsa has divided the whole group because of the way he trains.”
Suarez specifically criticized Bielsa’s treatment of midfielder Agustin Canobbio, who was allegedly forced to train as a ball boy and a spare man.
“A player who is one of the 26 selected for the Copa America can’t be made to participate as if he were a ‘sparring’ partner,” Suarez said. “It’s annoying. I understand Agustin. I’ll support him, he’s been holding back a lot.”
Suarez also lamented the negative atmosphere in Uruguay’s facilities, claiming that Bielsa did not even greet players in the morning.
“The staff are not allowed to come in and greet us or eat with us,” Suarez said. “Many of the players held a meeting to ask the coach to at least say good morning, he didn’t even say hello. It hurts me to see what the national team is going through.”
Suarez’s comments have sparked a debate in Uruguay about Bielsa’s management style and the future of the national team.
