DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The day earlier than what was probably his final World Cup recreation, Luis Suarez walked into the room, sat down and positioned himself squarely within the highlight — once more.Then a Ghanaian journalist let all of it out: Ghana needs to “retire you,” he stated to the Uruguay ahead. You’re “the satan himself.” It is advisable apologize to my nation for what you probably did.Fairly the response to a soccer participant, even when his deliberate handball greater than a decade in the past continues to be one of the crucial contentious moments in World Cup historical past.Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Ghana on Friday, which nonetheless resulted in elimination for the Uruguayans, is anticipated to be Suarez’s final World Cup recreation if he stays true to his pre-tournament pronouncement. And in that case, it ended the worldwide profession of one in all soccer’s most divisive characters, a participant who’s adored in Uruguay, who received titles at Ajax, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and who was at his top probably the greatest strikers on this planet.Suarez introduced pleasure to his groups and followers, usually after prolonged intervals of gloom. With Suarez, Uruguay ended 20 years of World Cup underachievement — both failing to qualify or being eradicated within the group stage — to succeed in the semifinals in 2010. He helped ship Uruguay’s first Copa America title in 16 years in 2011. He was instrumental in Atletico Madrid’s first Spanish title in seven years in 2021.In doing so, Suarez additionally managed to commonly provoke feelings on the opposite aspect of the spectrum.He’s nonetheless loathed in Ghana, because the journalist reminded everybody this week, for that handball within the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals that ripped a historic place within the semifinals away from the Ghanaians.Suarez’s popularity, which was greater than controversial, was principally due to his personal actions. He was additionally banned on three separate events for biting opponents in a recreation, and as soon as for racially abusing an opponent.The handball incident has stayed with him greater than the others.Suarez’s actions on the purpose line 12 years in the past denied Ghana a sure purpose on the very finish of additional time with the rating even at 1-1. He was despatched off for the handball however celebrated wildly on the sidelines when Ghana ahead Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty.Uruguay received in a penalty shootout and Suarez stated within the aftermath: “Fact is, it was price it.”Suarez’s brutal honesty in proudly owning what he did remained greater than a decade later. When the Ghanaian journalist went on about demanding his apology this week, Suarez listened intently, then folded his arms and replied.“I don’t apologize for that as a result of … it’s not my fault,” Suarez stated. “I didn’t miss the penalty.”Whereas which will have reignited the anger for Ghanaians, it curiously received a stage of help from Ghana coach Otto Addo. Addo stated most gamers would have completed what Suarez did by stopping that ball together with his hand. He simply owned as much as it. He referred to Suarez’s actions as truly a sacrifice for Uruguay.Suarez’s mere presence at that pre-match information convention additionally stated one thing. Amid the frenzy forward of Uruguay’s rematch with Ghana in Qatar, Suarez may simply have skipped the media gathering and Uruguay may have despatched one other participant out to keep away from the inevitable grilling.Suarez walked in and confronted it head-on.He additionally did that on the sector in his final recreation for his nation, the rematch with Ghana. On the age of 35, he led the Uruguay assault and performed key roles in each targets. His pleasant flick over the protection to arrange teammate Giorgian De Arrascaeta for the second purpose reminded everybody of the participant Suarez was. Minutes later, Suarez was angrily yelling on the referee and received a yellow card, reminding everybody who he is also.He would go to the restrict for his crew, typically previous it.When Suarez bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder in a recreation on the 2014 World Cup, FIFA responded with a ban of 4 months from all soccer and 9 video games for his nation. It was one of many harshest penalties ever handed out on the match. Suarez didn’t play for Uruguay once more till 2016 and even Chiellini stated the punishment was extreme. Suarez did apologize to Chiellini for the chunk.His fourth World Cup led to Qatar with him crying within the dugout after being substituted. Uruguay was heading to the final 16 for the fourth straight time earlier than a stoppage-time purpose within the different Group H recreation between South Korea and Portugal modified the course of the group and despatched Uruguay house and Suarez into worldwide retirement.He stated he would take care of that bitter ending, too.“It’s as much as me,” Suarez stated, “to face the state of affairs.”___