Luis Suarez reunites with Lionel Messi and company at MLS’ Inter Miami
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Luis Suarez bids farewell to Gremio fans at the airport in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
PHOTO: AFP
MIAMI – Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, a former Barcelona, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam star, cannot wait to get started as he joins Inter Miami for the 2024 season, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club announced on Dec 22.
Suarez, who turns 37 in January, won four Spanish La Liga titles and the Champions League with Barcelona and also collected league titles with Ajax and Atletico.
He joins a Miami side who include former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
“I’m very happy and excited to take on this new challenge with Inter Miami,” Suarez said. “I can’t wait to get started and I’m ready to work to make the dream of winning more titles with this great club a reality.
“I’m optimistic about what we can achieve together with our shared ambition. I will give my all to bring joy to these great fans while I wear Inter Miami colours and look forward to reuniting with great friends and players.”
Suarez was named Best Player and Best Striker in the Brazilian league last season for Gremio, scoring 26 goals and setting up 17 others in 53 appearances.
Former England and Manchester United star David Beckham, a co-owner of Miami, was overjoyed.
“We’re delighted to have a player of Luis’ quality and passion for the game join our club,” he said. “He joins a squad that is inspiring the next generation and we look forward to seeing him take to the field.”
Miami managing owner Jorge Mas added: “We’re happy to welcome world-class striker Luis Suarez to our club.
“Luis is a fierce competitor whose winning drive embodies what we want out of our players.”
Suarez first made a splash in Europe with Dutch giants Ajax before making the switch to English Premier League side Liverpool, where he scored 82 goals in 133 matches.
But it was at Barcelona where he was most successful when he managed 195 goals and 113 assists over 283 games.
Suarez and Messi were part of the famous Barcelona “MSN” attacking trio – along with Neymar – who dominated Spain and Europe in the 2014-15 season when they won the La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
When Barcelona had no more use for him, he made the switch to rivals Atletico, where he continued to impress and led the team to a La Liga title, scoring 34 goals in 83 appearances.
In all, he has scored more than 500 goals for club and country – he also sparked Uruguay to the 2011 Copa America crown.
Miami kick off the 2024 MLS season on Feb 21 at home against Real Salt Lake. AFP, REUTERS
