‘People in soccer do not have memory!’ - Luis Suarez bites back at critics after opening MLS goal account in Inter Miami’s 5-0 derby drubbing of Orlando City

The veteran Uruguayan frontman has been reunited with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Chase Stadium. He is now 37 years of age and is having to manage long-standing knee problems that will impact how many games he is able to play in 2024.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!

Stream games now

He has figured prominently for Inter Miami so far, but had seen questions asked of his contribution after struggling for goals. After bagging a brace in a 5-0 MLS demolition of Florida neighbours Orlando City, Suarez said: “From an individual standpoint, I am happy to be able to help the team. A striker and professional soccer player has to be accustomed to living with daily criticism. People in soccer do not have memory so in that sense I am very used to it. I have been playing professional soccer for almost 20 years, so I do not worry about things that people might be saying.”

Suarez has the full backing of those around him in Miami, with Herons boss Tata Martino saying: “I said last week that to analyse a player when the team did not play a good game is unjust. The reality is the team played very well and Luis shined in all his splendour, not only as a goal-scorer but also with his assists.”

USMNT star Julian Gressel added on seeing Suarez rediscover his spark in a talismanic performance: “He left it all on the field without talking, and it is obviously very nice and it gives the whole group a good feeling when he is doing that type of stuff. Two goals, two assists, and an unbelievable assist as well where he is on a hat-trick in the first half and (instead) squares the ball to Robert (Taylor). I think that shows who he is, that shows what he does for this team, and how important he is. To have a guy like him on the team with that individual quality, I think we saw it today. That is something that is certainly good to have moving forward.”

Inter Miami are unbeaten through their opening three games of the 2024 campaign, with Suarez and Messi among the goals. They will be back in action on Thursday when taking in a CONCACAF Champions Cup trip to domestic rivals Nashville.