Luis Suarez makes MLS ambition clear despite Messi warning from Inter Miami boss

23 February 2024 , 06:00

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Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have reunited at Inter Miami (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Luis Suarez wants to win MLS Cup with Inter Miami after reuniting in America with his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Suarez joined Inter Miami from Brazilian side Gremio in December and made his debut for the club alongside Messi, Busquets and Alba as they beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 to kick off the new campaign in style.

And Suarez is hopeful his new team can get their hands on some more silverware after Messi helped them win the Leagues Cup last year. "I'm so happy because it was the first game and winning at home is really important," Suarez told Apple TV.

"We're still friends inside the pitch and outside the pitch. We try our best to help the team. There's no bigger ambition and desire than coming to a team that just won its first title last year and trying to win MLS Cup.

"It's a title the club hasn't won yet. That's the goal, that's the challenge for me and the whole team." Inter Miami are among the favourites to win the league this season given the superstars they have in their ranks.

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However, manager Gerardo Martino has warned it will take time for Suarez and Messi to "rediscover their rhythm" together, particularly with Suarez managing a chronic knee problem that has plagued him in recent years.

"I had been saying since we got back from Japan two weeks ago that we needed to have more training sessions together for them to rediscover their rhythm," Martino said after the win over Salt Lake.

Messi helped Inter Miami beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 in their MLS opener (Getty Images)

"In their case, they know each other well, but it takes time for them to find that connection again that they had in Barcelona. If anybody had been sceptical about what this team can do, I think the first half showed them.

"I saw [Messi] playing free on the field. And with the same fine touch he always had. And he showed some speed too. He has a characteristic that no other player has.

"He grabs the ball very far from the rival goal and the feeling he gives is that he will generate something and will end in a goal situation. The play he had alone against two players at the end of the game is a sign that he is good physically and also happy to be on the pitch."

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Matthew Cooper