Inter Miami brace for superstar breakup

All good things come to an end. All legends say goodbye. Inter Miami bids farewell to the Club World Cup with several loose ends still to be tied. While Messi’s continuity seems almost certain, Luis Suárez’s future hangs in the balance. According to AS, barring a last-minute twist, “El Pistolero” will not return to Miami next season. His next move is unknown, and retirement looms on the horizon.

Suárez’s time in Florida will officially come to an end this December. The Uruguayan’s contract runs until the end of the year, and he is not expected to renew with the Herons—a decision reportedly under consideration since his extension back in January, shortly after the team’s participation in the Club World Cup was confirmed. For Inter Miami, his departure will be key in adjusting their finances. As a designated player, Suárez commands one of the highest salaries on the roster.

Although his U.S. chapter is nearing its close, Suárez is determined to leave on a high. A beloved figure in the Chase Stadium locker room, he’s not content with just the Supporters’ Shield—awarded to the best team in the MLS regular season. Winning the MLS Cup would be a fitting finale to a glittering career that includes Champions League titles, Liga MX, the League Cup, the Eredivisie, and a Copa América. Not bad at all.

In just over a year, Suárez has carved out his own legacy at Inter Miami. He’s already the club’s second-highest scorer with 34 goals, trailing only Messi’s 50. Even as his body—especially his knee—shows the wear of a long career, he has proven to be the ideal stand-in whenever Messi is unavailable.

“My body is speaking, and the pain I feel every day is intense,” Suárez said in a 2023 interview. “I’ve earned the right to decide, to say ‘enough,’ and to enjoy wherever I play—and to be with my children, who haven’t had much vacation time recently and have stuck by my side. I need rest, I need to enjoy my family. Fate will decide where I go next. If I join a club, it’s to win. If not, I’ll retire. You’re stubborn—you want to keep enjoying the game.”

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Now, the big question is what comes next. Outside of football, Suárez is a founding member of LSM, a club in Uruguay’s Fourth Division, co-owned with Leo Messi. The “Pistolero” could make the leap to the front office with the goal of leading the club to Uruguay’s top flight. Only time will tell.

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