Inter Miami had a familiar face help them during its recruitment of Luis Suarez.
The South Florida club officially confirmed the signing of the striker on December 22, much to the excitement of Miami’s fan base.
Suarez will be in Miami for the foreseeable future, signing a one-year deal with an option to extend in 2025.
This will be the first time he’ll be on the field with his ex-Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba since 2020.
“I’m very happy and excited to take on this new challenge with Inter Miami,” Suarez said in the press release.
“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.”
Lionel Messi’s influence for Inter Miami
When Suarez steps on the pitch for Inter Miami, he’ll be surrounded by a roster filled with young players and veterans who will complement his playing style.
Suarez and Messi were unstoppable during their time at Barcelona and the duo will likely be able to replicate that at Inter Miami. Alongside Busquets, Alba, and potential other incoming signings, Miami will undoubtedly be able to challenge for MLS Cup in 2024.
According to Sporting Director Chris Henderson, the Herons are in the middle of a roster revamp. Suarez is just the first name of many that could join the squad in the next few weeks.
“Without tipping what we’re going to do in trades, I do feel that we need to have competition in every spot,” Henderson said in his end-of-year conference.
“We’re looking at everything to [improve the squad.] We have high hopes for 2024, and we want to show what we can do as a club.”
Thanks to Messi, Suarez was able to make his decision quickly and join Miami during its roster revamp.
In an X post, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Messi was in constant contact with the Uruguayan during his decision-making process.
“Contract until 2024, one season. Option to extend until 2025, rejected three more clubs, constant calls with Messi.”
It’s not a surprise that the Argentine would want Suarez to join him at Inter Miami. The pair work nicely together and will undoubtedly do well in Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami fans will have to wait until preseason to see what the attacker is truly capable of despite his lingering knee issues.