Page 70 - Soccer360 Issue 105

MLS 2024 SEASON PREVIEW
SUAREZ
When David Beckham announced he’d be using his right to buy an MLS franchise to bring a team to Miami, he made it clear right from the start that he had high hopes and big dreams for the club. “This is something that has been a dream for many, many years,” Beckham said back
in 2018. “When I was awarded the team there was only one city for me and it was here. I was drawn to this city for the same reasons millions of people are - the diversity, the culture, the people, the weather, the beaches,” he said.
Never could he have imagined though
that within five years he’d have one of
the greatest players of all time plying his trade for his franchise. Of course, Lionel Messi alone was enough to have fans and neutrals alike excited, but Inter Miami wasn’t just thinking about the 2022 World Cup winner. They also decided to bring in his former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. While the new additions helped the club lift its first ever trophy with their Leagues Cup triumph in 2023, they ultimately failed to win the league’s most prestigious prize - MLS Cup. In fact, they weren’t even close.
However, Inter Miami is hungry for silverware, and they opted to go back to
the well one more time during the off- season to secure the services of another former Barcelona superstar, Luis Suarez.
The Uruguayan striker spent six seasons
with Messi at the Catalan club, helping them win four La Liga and Copa del Rey titles, a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and a Club World Cup. Along with Neymar, Suarez and Messi formed one of the most dynamic striking tridents in the history of the sport. Even though Suarez and Messi haven’t played together since 2020, they are hoping to rekindle the magic in Miami. While
neither player is necessarily in the prime of their careers anymore, both are more than capable of terrifying even the best opposing defences MLS has to offer. Suarez is coming off a campaign with Gremio in Brazil where he scored 17 goals in 33 league appearances. Despite his success in Brazil though, the 37-year-old was looking for a new challenge. “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 in a club statement announcing his signing.
“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.”
Inter Miami was already the betting favourite to win MLS Cup in 2024 before the club made the Suarez signing official but are even bigger favourites now that they have secured the striker’s services. Los Angeles FC remain a distant second according to
& MESSI REUNITED
MARCO D’ONOFRIO TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO LUIS SUAREZ’S MOVE TO MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR INTER MIAMI’S SEASON.
ABOVE:
Luis Suarez is Inter Miami’s latest big- name signing
RIGHT:
Luis SUAREZ (9)
in action during
a friendly match between Inter Miami CF and Vissel Kobe
LEFT:
Lionel Messi for Inter Miami
70 SOCCER360