Luis Suárez: “We want to win the 2024 MLS Cup”

It was a special night on Wednesday as Inter Miami defeated Real Salt Lake (2-0) at Chase Stadium to kick off Major League Soccer 2024. The Herons’ fans were treated to Luis Suárez’s first official game in their colours and he provided an assist for Diego Gómez.

The spotlight is indeed more on Lionel Messi - who also assisted Robert Taylor - but the fans in South Florida got to enjoy Suárez’s full debut. Although he had already received a standing ovation before the match and said a few words alongside David Beckham, the Uruguayan also spoke about his objectives with the MLS club at the end of the game.

Suárez sends message to MLS teams

In an on-field interview with Apple TV’s Tony Cherchi, Suárez stressed the importance of reuniting with Messi, Busquets and Alba to get Miami back on track. “I’m very happy because it’s the first game won at home. We are friends on and off the field, we want to do our best to help Inter Miami and win a title this year.”

He added: “There is no greater ambition than to come to a team that won the first title only last year. The objective and challenge is the MLS Cup. It would be very important.”

When asked what his former Barcelona teammates have told him about the North American league, Suárez said: “I already know and knew what MLS is, but then I also think that all the teams will want to beat you and come to compete because we are one of those who can be fighting for the title.”

“They know that we want that, that we have that ambition and then we have to enjoy it and try to help the team,” added Tata Martino’s first-choice centre-forward. For the time being, the veteran striker has already played in his first official MLS match and although he did not manage to score, he did add his first assist to help seal the 2-0 win.