ALABAMA - After weeks of speculation, Luis Suárez' transfer to Inter Miami became official on Friday, as the Uruguayan striker signed a one-year deal with the MLS club that will keep him in South Florida through the 2024 season.
Bienvenido Luis Suárez, al sueño de Miami 💫 pic.twitter.com/Vi3bJZ679f
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 22, 2023
During his first press conference wearing Inter Miami colors, Suárez seemed eager to start a new chapter of his already coveted career.
Inter Miami will be Suárez' 8th different team throughout his 18-year career. He has won a trophy with six of the previous seven teams, with Dutch club Groningen being the only exception. "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," said Inter Miami's new No.9.
As Suárez said, he will be reuniting with some of his former Barcelona teammates, including best friend Lionel Messi. In the six seasons Suárez and Messi spent together at Barcelona, the Catalan club won four LaLiga titles and reached the top of European football in 2015 by winning the UEFA Champions League, with "El Pistolero" scoring in the 3-1 win over Juventus in the final.
The two have scored a combined 869 goals for Barcelona in all competitions, making Messi and Suárez the 'culés' top and third all-time scorers, respectively. While together, Messi scored 280 of his 672 goals for Barcelona.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez – Barcelona career between 2014-20
STATS
Goals (all comps)
European Golden Boot
Pichichi Awards
Seasons with 30+ goals (all comps)
Messi
280
3
4
4
Suárez
197
1
1
3
Oficial: Bienvenido a casa, @LuisSuarez9🏠
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 22, 2023
We have signed Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez to a contract running through the 2024 Major League Soccer season!
Details: https://t.co/SlaFVn0XM0 pic.twitter.com/1mLJs0a78i
During his six-season stint with the Spanish giants, the Uruguayan won a total of 13 trophies while also collecting a few personal awards such as the 2015-16 European Golden Boot thanks to his 40 goals in league play.
After leaving Barcelona -and Messi-, Suárez remained at an elite level during his time at Atlético Madrid, helping them win the 2020-21 LaLiga title. After two years in the Spanish capital, Suárez returned to boyhood club Nacional for just one season, which however was enough to deliver them the 2022 Clausura league title.
Before joining former teammates Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in Major League Soccer, Suárez also spent one year with Brazilian team Grêmio.
He had another prolific year helping Grêmio to two trophies and a 2nd-place finish in the always competitive Brasileirão. Suárez contributed to 26 goals and 17 assists in 53 games for the Brazilian club. Even at the age of 36, Suárez proved to still be an elite footballer, winning Best Striker and Best Player awards in the 2023 Brasileirão thanks to his 17 goals (2nd) and 11 assists (1st).
The Uruguayan has established himself as one of the best strikers this century, with over 500 career goals in five different countries. At the international level, the 2011 Copa América remains one of his biggest accomplishments with the "Celeste", along with a 4th-place finish in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he played villain in one of the most controversial plays in World Cup history, being sent off against Ghana after handballing a clear-scoring opportunity in their Quarterfinal tie.
Inter Miami's Chief Business Officer, Xavier Asensi, declared during Suárez' presentation that the Uruguayan's arrival marked a historic moment for a club that entered MLS back in 2020. "This is another monumental moment for our Club as we continue our ascent. We have always dreamed of being a club that could have a lasting impact on fútbol in the United States, and we believe that bringing Luis to Inter Miami is another positive step in that direction," he added.
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