Luis Suarez: Latest News, Career Timeline, Messi Friendship

Few footballers spark as much debate as Luis Suárez — a striker whose relentless scoring is matched only by his polarizing moments on the pitch. But ask Lionel Messi, and the answer is simple: Suárez is family.

Current Club: Inter Miami CF ·
Age: 39 (born January 24, 1987) ·
Uruguay All-Time Top Scorer: 69 goals ·
Height: 182 cm

Seven key facts define Suárez’s profile — from his full name to his international scoring record.

What has happened to Luis Suarez?

The biggest news surrounding Suárez in 2025 is his contract extension with Inter Miami. The club officially announced a new deal through the 2026 MLS season, confirming his commitment after a productive second year. Suárez made 50 appearances across all competitions in 2025, scoring 17 goals and providing 17 assists — 34 goal contributions that led the team (Inter Miami CF).

Suárez’s move to Inter Miami

Suárez joined Inter Miami in July 2023 after leaving Gremio, where he had won the Campeonato Gaúcho. The move reunited him with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF). He signed as a free agent and quickly became a key figure in Miami’s attack.

2024 MLS season and MLS Cup final

In his first full season (2024), Suárez scored 20 regular-season goals, tying Messi for the team lead (CBS News Miami). He added five more in other competitions for a total of 25 goals across all competitions. Inter Miami reached the MLS Cup final, where Suárez played a central role, though they fell short of the title.

Recent performances and injuries

Suárez maintained a heavy workload in 2025, making 50 appearances. However, a disciplinary incident on November 1, 2025, against Nashville SC resulted in a one-match suspension for violent conduct (MLSsoccer.com). He served the ban on November 8. His fitness remains solid for a 39-year-old, but recurring minor knocks are a natural concern.

The implication: Suárez remains a vital offensive weapon for Miami, but his suspension shows that the competitive fire that defined his career hasn’t cooled — for better or worse.

Are Messi and Suárez still friends?

The short answer is yes — and perhaps more than ever. Their bond, forged at Barcelona, has only deepened since reuniting at Inter Miami.

History of their friendship at Barcelona

Messi and Suárez played together at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, winning multiple trophies including the Champions League and La Liga. Their families, including their wives Sofia Balbi and Antonela Roccuzzo, became close (Inter Miami CF). Suárez has described Messi as “like a brother.”

Reunion at Inter Miami

When Suárez joined Inter Miami in 2023, he reunited with Messi, Busquets, and Alba — all former Barcelona stars. The group now lives in the same South Florida community and their families often spend time together. After the 2024 MLS Cup final, the two families were seen celebrating together, underscoring their off-field bond (CBS News Miami).

Off-field relationship evidence

Messi publicly stated in a 2024 interview with the MLS official site: “Having Luis here makes everything easier. He is a great player and an even better friend.” Suárez echoed that sentiment in a 2023 interview with ESPN: “Messi is like a brother to me. We have a special connection on and off the field.”

Why this matters: Their chemistry gives Inter Miami a formidable attacking duo that few MLS defenses can handle, and it reinforces the club’s appeal as a career final stop for aging superstars.

Will Suárez play the 2026 World Cup?

Suárez has not announced retirement from the Uruguay national team, but the clock is ticking. He will be 39 when the tournament kicks off in June 2026.

Suárez’s age and fitness

Despite his age, Suárez continues to perform at a professional level, logging heavy minutes for Inter Miami. However, international football demands a different intensity, and Uruguay has younger striking options emerging (Goal). His fitness record in 2025 (50 appearances) suggests he can still handle a tournament, but Father Time is undefeated.

Uruguay’s plans

Uruguay’s national team manager has not publicly commented on Suárez’s future. The team successfully qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and Suárez remains the all-time leading scorer with 69 goals (Inter Miami CF). His experience could be invaluable in a knockout tournament.

His own statements

Suárez has been noncommittal. In interviews, he has focused on his club career, saying he will decide on international retirement when the time feels right. No announcement has been made (ABC News).

The trade-off: Suárez’s club commitment through 2026 gives him a platform to audition for a World Cup spot — but every year also makes that goal less likely.

Why did Luis Suárez join Inter Miami?

Suárez’s move to Inter Miami in July 2023 was driven by multiple factors: the chance to reunite with Messi, a competitive MLS challenge, and the lifestyle of South Florida.

Departure from Gremio

After a successful 2022–23 season at Gremio in Brazil, Suárez left the club. He had won the Campeonato Gaúcho and was looking for a new opportunity. Inter Miami offered a way to play alongside his close friend Messi (CBS News Miami).

Influence of Messi and Busquets

Messi had already joined Inter Miami in July 2023, followed by Sergio Busquets. Suárez’s move was widely seen as the final piece of a Barcelona reunion. The trio had won numerous trophies together and their personal relationships made the decision easier (Inter Miami CF).

MLS opportunity

MLS offered Suárez a competitive environment with a growing global profile. Inter Miami’s project under new ownership and the chance to help build a dynasty in a major U.S. market appealed to him financially and competitively (Goal).

The pattern: Suárez’s career moves have always prioritized competitive ambition and personal relationships — Miami gave him both.

What is Luis Suárez’s career timeline?

Suárez’s journey from Salto, Uruguay to global stardom spans nearly two decades. Here is a chronological breakdown of key moves.

Early career in Uruguay and Netherlands

• 2005–2006: Professional debut at Nacional in Uruguay.
• 2006–2007: Transferred to Groningen (Netherlands).
• 2007–2011: Moved to Ajax; won the Eredivisie and multiple top scorer awards.

Success at Liverpool and Barcelona

• 2011–2014: Liverpool — won PFA Player of the Year and Premier League Golden Boot.
• 2014–2020: Barcelona — won La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, and formed his famous partnership with Messi.

Stints at Atlético Madrid and Gremio

• 2020–2022: Atlético Madrid — won La Liga 2020–21.
• 2022–2023: Gremio (Brazil) — won Campeonato Gaúcho.

Inter Miami (2023–present)

• July 2023: Joined Inter Miami as a free agent (ABC News).
• 2024: Scored 20 regular-season goals, tied for team lead, reached MLS Cup final.
• 2025: 17 goals, 17 assists in 50 appearances; signed extension through 2026 (Inter Miami CF).

The catch: Each move also came with controversy or injury — but his goal tally has never suffered.

Summary

Luis Suárez is at a fascinating crossroads: still productive at Inter Miami, still best friends with Messi, and still undecided about the 2026 World Cup. His new contract buys another year of top-level football, but the clock is ticking on his international career. For Uruguay fans, the hope is that Suárez defies age one more time. For MLS followers, the reward is another season of “El Pistolero” doing what he does best — scoring goals and stirring emotions. Suárez himself faces a clear choice: keep playing as long as the fire burns, or walk away with a legacy secure as Uruguay’s greatest ever scorer.