MLS
Luis Suárez: ‘Inter Miami is the last step and I am prepared for this challenge’
The Uruguayan forward has revealed that South Florida will be the final stop at the end of a stellar career that spans three continents.
There is less than a week to go until Inter Miami begin their assault on the 2024 MLS Cup. Winning titles is the clear objective for the ambitious team, who have gathered one of the most talented rosters in MLS history.
Leading the line for the Herons: former Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
On Thursday, ahead of Miami’s final preseason fixture, Suárez spoke to Uruguayan radio progam ‘La mesa de los galanes’ and spoke in great detail about his ambitions with the team. But the most interesting of his answers came in response to a question about his future plans. Namely, will Inter Miami be the final club of his glittering career?
Suárez was unequivocal: “Yes, I cannot be more sincere and the family already knows. The date is not yet set, but this is the last step. I am prepared for this last challenge but it is also exhausting and I have to think about having a quality of life afterwards.”
The 37-year-old has struggled with fitness issues in recent years. After nearly two decades as a professional Suárez’ knees are a constant source of discomfort and the Uruguayan admitted recently that he has to battle with chronic knee soreness. After so long in the game, Inter Miami will be his final home.
‘Inter Miami are MLS Cup candidates’
Over the course of his career in Europe Suárez won everything that there is to win. He won the LaLiga title five times, recorded four Copa del Rey triumphs and lifted the Champions League in 2015.
But those successes have not dampened his ambitions and Suárez is targeting more silverware in Miami. He acknowledges that Inter Miami are one of the favourites for the 2024 MLS Cup, but insists that their status brings additional pressures.
“I don’t know if we have the obligation to be champions, but we are one of the candidates and it is certain that all the teams will want to beat us,” he explained.
Inter Miami could offer a glorious final chapter to Suárez’s storied career, but has he put any thought into what will come next? Many soccer players harbour ambitions of becoming coaches one day, often starting their coaching qualifications before hanging up their boots.
Suárez, however, will not be spending his retirement pacing the touchline: “I don’t want to do it, it’s worse than being a player. Because of the hours of work, it requires more time.”