Inter Miami CF Signs Iconic Striker Luis Suárez
Inter Miami CF announced today that it has signed UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and Conmebol Copa América winner and five-time LaLiga champion Luis Suárez to a contract running through the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
The iconic Uruguayan striker will join the team ahead of the 2024 MLS season after being named the Best Player and Best Striker in the Brazilian league thanks to his 26 goals and 17 assists over 53 appearances, and leading Grêmio to win the Campeonato Gaúcho and Recopa Gaúcha.
“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.
“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,” said Chief Business Officer Xavier Asensi. “Luis is an incredible player that will be a fantastic asset for the Club, and we’re excited to have him with us.”
“Luis is an outstanding striker with a track record of excellence at the very top levels of the sport. He has proven himself to be a singular talent in every league he’s played in over the course of his career thus far,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “We’re looking to build on the successes of last season in 2024 and think Luis will be an important addition for us as we prepare to compete in several top competitions.”
The Uruguayan striker famously starred for FC Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, where he won several titles and broke records. With the Spanish giants, he won one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, four LaLiga titles, four Copa del Rey titles, one UEFA Super Cup, and two Supercopa de España titles. He scored an impressive total of 195 goals and added 113 assists over 283 matches with the club.
Suárez featured prominently at Liverpool over the course of four seasons, winning the EFL Cup once, and Atlético Madrid for two seasons, winning one LaLiga title. He made 133 appearances for Liverpool, recording 82 goals and 46 assists in the process, and 83 appearances for Atlético Madrid, totaling 34 goals and six assists.
The Salto, Uruguay native began his career at Club Nacional de Fútbol in his home country, coming through the youth ranks and making his professional debut. He featured for the first team between 2005 and 2006 and claimed one league title in that time. He later returned to the club for a second stint in 2022, again concluding a triumphant stay with an Uruguayan Primera División title.
Suárez also spent time playing in the Netherlands for FC Groningen and AFC Ajax, and Brazil with Grêmio. He scored 15 goals and added 10 assists in 37 appearances for Groningen before moving to Ajax, where he made 159 appearances, tallied 111 goals and 68 assists, and won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup. Most recently, he totaled 26 goals and 17 assists over 53 appearances for Grêmio, and won the Campeonato Gaúcho and Recopa Gaúcha.
The striker is one of the most accomplished players in his country’s history, currently holding the record for most goals for the Uruguay national team with 68. He has also made the second most appearances for La Celeste with 138 so far, and helped guide the team to a historic 2011 Copa América title.
Suárez will be reunited with former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami. Together the group made history in Spain, winning four LaLiga titles in five seasons, as well as a UEFA Champions League title.
Limited single-match tickets to 2024 Inter Miami CF home matches remain. Secure your chance to watch the team in action at DRV PNK Stadium next season here, while supplies last.
