The former FC Barcelona teammates, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, are set to reunite at Inter Miami CF in the Major League Soccer (MLS). Suarez has officially signed with the club for the 2024 season, linking up once again with his close friend Messi. This move sees Inter Miami becoming an FC Barcelona veterans team, as Suarez will also join former Barcelona players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The 36-year-old striker made the switch as a free agent after terminating his contract early with Brazilian club Gremio.
Inter Miami has seen a significant transformation since the arrival of Messi and his former Barcelona teammates this summer. Within weeks of joining, they helped the club secure its first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup, in August.
Expressing his excitement, Suarez stated, I’m very happy and excited to take on this new challenge with Inter Miami. I can’t wait to get started and I’m ready to work towards achieving our dream of winning more titles with this great club. He also mentioned his anticipation of reuniting with his friends and former teammates, expressing optimism about what they can accomplish together due to their shared ambition.
It has been rumored that Messi had been advocating for Suarez’s signing, given their close friendship. However, it seems that Inter Miami needed no convincing, considering Suarez’s impressive track record. During his time at FC Barcelona from 2015 to 2019, he won four La Liga titles, along with the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2015, alongside Messi, Busquets, and Alba. Suarez also secured domestic titles with Nacional (Uruguay), Ajax (Netherlands), and Atletico Madrid (Spain). In the previous season, he played a pivotal role in helping Gremio finish second in the Brazilian Serie A, scoring 17 goals in 33 matches and being named the league’s best player.
While the Brazilian league’s demanding schedule led Suarez to terminate his contract prematurely, he now looks forward to the relatively more relaxed environment of the MLS. This sentiment aligns with Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami, as he prioritized spending quality time with his family and enjoying a more relaxed atmosphere while still competing in a challenging football league. Choosing the MLS over a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League allowed Messi to avoid the intense pressure he experienced during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
With Suarez’s arrival, Inter Miami will undoubtedly be a reunion of old friends. Their presence on the pitch will captivate American audiences, given the legendry talent that will be on display.
Last season, Inter Miami finished second from bottom in the MLS Eastern Conference. However, their performance significantly improved in the latter half of the campaign, and with the new additions, the team looks poised for a more successful future. The 2024 season will showcase a transformed Inter Miami, leaving fans eager to witness what this group of old friends can achieve together.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez’s reunion at Inter Miami CF has captured the attention of football fans worldwide. The signing of Suarez, along with Messi and other former Barcelona players, has turned Inter Miami into an FC Barcelona veterans team. The close friendship between Messi and Suarez adds an extra layer of excitement to the team, as they aim to achieve great success together in the MLS. The 2024 season holds much promise for Inter Miami, and fans eagerly await the magic that Messi, Suarez, and their old Barcelona teammates can produce on the pitch.