 Abreu played for Uruguay at the 2002 FIFA World Cup – matches – and the 1997, 2007 and 2011 Copa América editions, netting twice in the latter.He made his debut for the national side on 17 July 1996 in a friendly with China, going on to earn 70 caps.On 27 May 2010, Abreu stood only five goals short of Uruguayan all-time goalscoring record, held by Héctor Scarone for 79 years.