Luis Suarez cleared for Lionel Messi reunion at MLS side Inter Miami as Gremio boss confirms Uruguayan striker’s imminent departure

The veteran frontman will be bidding farewell to Brazilian football at the end of the calendar year, with an early termination of his contract being agreed. Suarez will then be free to head to the United States and link up with former Barcelona team-mates Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at MLS side Inter Miami.

Renato Gaucho has told reporters when asked about bidding farewell to Suarez - who has hit 26 goals through 51 appearances for Gremio: “Are we going to miss him? Certainly, without a doubt, he is very loved by everyone. I had the pleasure of working with a great professional, one of the best in the world, fourth highest scorer in the world. This void will remain for the next year, because it's not easy to find someone of his talent and ability. When you find someone else, it's unfeasible to bring him in financially. Unfortunately, as I said before, it was very difficult for him to stay. Everyone wanted it, but only he could reverse this decision. Unfortunately, he will leave and there will be this vacuum in Gremio's attack. Then it's up to the board and president to try and find another striker. It was a great pleasure, not only for me but for the whole club. A guy who always gave himself, an exemplary professional.”

Renato added on the impact that Suarez has made during his time in Brazil, with the 36-year-old still boasting boundless energy and a desire to win at all costs: “It's a great sadness for everyone. He arrived at the beginning of the year, he has helped us a lot, the fans were enchanted with him. He is an extraordinary professional on and off the field. He arrived quietly, he was letting go, playing, accepting the games. I often wanted to take him out of training or a game, but he wanted to continue. He wants to play every game and it doesn't hurt."

Suarez will take in his final home game as a Gremio player on Sunday, against Vasco da Gama. His last outing will be away at Fluminense on December 7, with a path then being cleared for him to take in a short break before potentially joining up with Messi and Inter Miami for pre-season training ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign.