The dynamic duo of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez is set to reunite on the pitch once again, this time donning the vibrant pink and black colours of Inter Miami. As the 2024 MLS season looms on the horizon, fans of the beautiful game can’t help but feel the excitement building with the prospect of witnessing these two prolific goal-scorers rekindling their on-field partnership.
The announcement of Luis Suarez’s move to Inter Miami has not only brought joy to the club’s supporters but has also created a buzz across global football circles. What makes this reunion even more special is the presence of two other former Barcelona stalwarts, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who have also joined forces with Messi and Suarez in sunny Florida. The quartet, having shared countless triumphs at Barcelona, will now look to replicate their success in the heart of MLS.
The anticipation surrounding Inter Miami’s 2024 campaign is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting the magic that these seasoned professionals can bring to the league. Witnessing Messi’s mesmerising dribbles, Suarez’s clinical finishing, Alba’s marauding runs down the left flank, and Busquets’ masterful control in midfield is an exhilarating prospect. Some may argue that Inter Miami is becoming a retirement home for former Barcelona stars, but they won’t mind. They’ve got Lionel Messi.
Luis Suarez is 36, where and how has he performed recently?
Luis Suarez is one of the greatest strikers of this generation and, even though he is battling a chronic knee injury, is still prolific in front of goal. With 198 goals, four La Liga’s and a Champions League to his name, he left Barcelona in 2020 for Atletico Madrid. Under Diego Simeone, he scored 21 league goals in his debut season and propelled Atletico to their first league title in seven years, and Suarez’s fifth La Liga trophy. He enjoyed a solid second season, although not as prolific as his first before moving back to Uruguay to reunite with his boyhood team Nacional.
After a short stint there, he moved to Gremio in Brazil where he quickly became a hero. He enjoyed a dream debut in a match against Sao Luiz for the 2023 Recopa Gaúcha. Suárez scored three in a 4–1 win and from that point, he was lauded in Porto Alegre. He continued scoring and helped to win Gremio a second trophy in 2023. He ended the league season with 17 goals and 11 assists in only 33 games. He had the most goal contributions in the competition, leading Grêmio to second place in the league. In December, Suárez was elected Best Player of the Brasileirão and subsequently awarded the Bola de Ouro.
Despite his incredible talents, his knee continues to cause him issues.
“The truth is that the first steps I take in the morning are very painful,” he revealed to Urugay’s 100% Deporte radio show last month. “Anyone who sees me thinks it is impossible for me to play a game. My son asks me to play with him and I am not able to. Before games, I take three pills and inject myself.”
Regardless, Suarez has made the move to the 305 and is the fourth member of Barcelona’s last Champions League-winning side to join Inter Miami. In South Beach, he’ll enjoy the company of close companion Leo Messi as well as many Spanish speakers and high-profile stars. What’s for sure is that Suarez has still got it.
Have there been any other new additions to the squad?
Despite being linked with high-profile players such as Luka Modric and Jesse Lingard, Suarez remains The Herons’ only celebrity signing in this window. They’ve still made shrewd business, signing one of the most talented free agents in the league, the versatile Julian Gressel. Gressel, born in Germany but an American international, offers the potential to cover the full-back or midfield positions and boasts impressive crossing abilities.
Inter Miami’s Pre-Season Schedule:
Inter Miami’s pre-season tour seems somewhat like a tour of Messi’s storied career. It starts off with an intra-MLS match against Dallas before The Herons head towards Saudi Arabia for the newly formed Riyadh Season Cup. Messi and co. will battle Neymar’s (although he’s injured) Al-Hilal before they face, in the most exciting pre-season game, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. The two GOATs have a chance, possibly their last, to put a final twist on the debate of which of the two is truly the greatest. Messi has his band of brothers supporting him and Ronaldo has some top players as well such as Aymeric Laporte, Talisca and Marcelo Brozovic.
Inter Miami then fly to Japan where they face Vissel Kobe, the former side of Andres Iniesta, another ex-teammate. Inter Miami’s final preseason friendly sees Messi go up against his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys at home before embarking on their MLS campaign.
Exciting.
FC Dallas vs. Inter Miami – January 23rd
Al Hilal vs. Inter Miami – January 29th
Al Nassr vs. Inter Miami – February 1st
Vissel Kobe vs. Inter Miami – February 7th
Inter Miami vs. Newell’s Old Boys – February 15th
MLS hopes:
Inter Miami should expect to have a real shot at the MLS title this year. Last year, Messi came in too late to offer them that prospect. This year, they arguably have the strongest starting XI ever in the MLS. Yet, there is still an overreliance on Messi. With the Argentinian, Inter Miami’s record was sensational last year. Once he got injured, however, they didn’t win a single game for the rest of the season. They will need their key men to stay fit, a challenge considering their age, but if that happens, one wouldn’t be surprised to see the title paraded around South Beach.
Their MLS season starts at home on the 22nd of February against Salt Lake City before a trip to LA four days later to face LA Galaxy.
Follow all the latest Inter Miami updates this season on the 365Scores website!
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter (X)
