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Uruguay striker Luis Suarez took a dig at former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira for his seemingly belittling remarks after La Celeste's 4-2 2024 Copa America win over Brazil on penalties in the quarter-final.
The clash at the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, on Saturday (July 6) had ended goalless after full-time, necessitating penalties. Suarez was an unused substitute as the heavyweight clash saw Nahtian Nandez of Uruguay see red 16 minutes from time.
Nevertheless, La Celeste held on despite their numerical disadvantage and won the ensuing shootout to book a semi-final with Colombia. Meanwhile, Pereira - who came off the bench in the game - had said that Brazil had a better team than Uruguay (as per METRO):
"The Uruguayan national team is very good, but if you take it name by name, we have a team that they dream of having."
Suarez seemingly took exception to those comments, responding after beating the Selecao:
"We have the best midfielders in the world, top-level players. To talk about Uruguay, you have to have a little more respect, know the history of Uruguay.
"Before I say which players want to be on the Brazilian national team, I have to say that the person who made that comment was (Giorgian) De Arrascaeta’s reserve (at Flamengo), who is the best player in Brazilian football. So imagine what it’s like for us to hear that."
Pereira, though, clarified later that he didn't mean to disrespect Uruguay:
"I simply said that I preferred it, and I think our players are better, so if they used that to their advantage, they can do whatever they want. But at no time did I show any disrespect towards Uruguay."
Suarez and Co. take on Colombia in the semi-final on Wednesday (July 10).
How has Luis Suarez fared for Brazil's 2024 Copa America conquerors Uruguay?
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has hardly played at the ongoing 2024 Copa America, logging in a combined eight minutes in two games. He came on for seven minutes in the 5-0 group-stage win over Bolivia and for a minute in the 1-0 victory over hosts USA.
Despite playing no part in the quarter-final win over Brazil, Suarez has a stellar record for La Celeste, scoring 68 times and providing 79 assists in 140 games across competitions since his first-team debut in a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia in July 2007.
With Uruguay facing Colombia next for a place in the Copa America final, will Luis Suarez find more game time against his first international opponents as La Celeste seek a first continental title in 13 years?
