Luiz Suarez has signed with Inter Miami on a free transfer to reunite with Lionel Messi.
The 36-year-old, who recently left Gremio in Brazil, has decided to renew his lethal partnership with his close friend Messi, whom he worked with for five years at Camp Nou.
Suárez joins Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba among the former FC Barcelona teammates in Miami.
Messi and Suárez played together at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, forming perhaps the most dominant 1-2 scoring punch of this generation.
Barcelona won La Liga four times and were the 2015 Champions League winner during their time as teammates.
Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami this summer stoked perhaps the largest increase in fan interest MLS has ever seen. Fans paid thousands of dollars above retail price just to get in and see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, and he did not disappoint.
Messi led Inter Miami, a basement dweller before his signing, to a Leagues Cup championship—their first title of any sort since entering MLS as an expansion franchise in 2020.
“We are happy to welcome world class striker Luis Suarez to our club. Luis is a fierce competitor whose winning drive embodies what we want out of our players. We promised our fans we would pursue the world’s best players to build a squad that can compete at the highest echelons in the Americas. Coming off an award-winning season in Brazil, Luis will be a key addition to our roster. We will continue to be ambitious and always strive to pursue the Freedom to Dream,” said Managing Owner Jorge Mas.
“We are delighted to have a player of Luis’ quality and passion for the game join our Club. He joins a squad that is inspiring the next generation and we look forward to seeing him take to the field with both former teammates and young players from our Academy,” said Co-Owner David Beckham.
“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 to make the dream of winning more titles with this great Club a reality. I’m optimistic about what we can achieve together with our shared ambition,” said Suárez. “I will give my all to bring joy to these great fans I’ve heard so much about while I wear Inter Miami colors, and look forward to reuniting with great friends and players. I’m also eager to meet my new teammates and coaches.”
Suárez’s extensive list of titles includes a coveted UEFA Champions League triumph, as well as one FIFA Club World Cup, five LaLiga, one Eredivisie, four Copa del Rey, one EFL Cup, one KNVB Cup, two Uruguayan Primera División, one Campeonato Gaúcho, one UEFA Super Cup, and two Supercopa de España titles. The striker guided Uruguay to a prestigious Conmebol Copa América title in 2011.
The prolific goal scorer has claimed dozens of personal accolades throughout his career. Notably, he has been the top scorer in a competition seven times: KNVB Cup (2009-10; eight goals), Eredivisie (2009-10; 35 goals), Conmebol World Cup Qualifiers (2013-14; 11 goals), English Premier League (2013-14; 31 goals), FIFA Club World Cup (2015; five goals), Copa del Rey (2015-16; five goals), and LaLiga (2015-16; 40 goals). His league goal marks in 2013-14 and 2015-16 earned him European Golden Shoe honors, while his total of 31 Premier League goals in 2013-14 was the competition’s record tally for a season at the time.
Suárez has earned Dutch Footballer of the Year (2009-10), Copa América Best Player (2011), Premier League Player of the Season (2013-14), FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (2015), Trofeo Alfredo di Stéfano (2020-21), and Bola de Ouro (2023) honors throughout his career. He has also been named to the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 once, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team once, UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season three times, PFA Team of the Year twice, LaLiga Team of the Season twice, Copa América Team of the Tournament once, Uruguayan Primera División’s Team of the Season once, and Campeonato Gaúcho Team of the Season once.
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