Luis Suarez backed to extend ‘Last Dance’ with Lionel Messi in MLS & sign new Inter Miami contract after ‘rubbish’ fitness concerns

The experienced Uruguayan striker, who is now 37 years of age, stated that retirement could be an option for him when mulling over his options at Brazilian outfit Gremio. In the end, long-standing knee problems were put to one side as the enigmatic frontman reunited with former Barcelona team-mate Messi in Florida.

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Suarez only signed a one-year contract with the ambitious MLS outfit, but there has been talk of him agreeing fresh terms after netting 17 league goals this season – and 21 in total – to put himself in another Golden Boot race. Close friend Messi has at least 12 months left to run on his deal in Miami.

Quizzed on whether Suarez, who has retired from international duty, could prolong his career in the United States, fellow countryman Gus Poyet – speaking in association with William Hill – told GOAL: “With Luis, we know how much he enjoys his football, how much he needs his family, how much he needs to be surrounded by people he wants to be with. I remember when he was living in Brazil and people were talking about different reasons and blah, blah, blah. I didn’t talk to him, but I knew the reason was ‘Ok, I’m going to be with Lionel Messi again, the families are going to be together and we’re going to be playing together’. Simple. The rest – the knee, too many games, rubbish.

“If both are enjoying it there and can stay for a few years, he will. At the moment he is playing as well. It’s not like the kind of situation where you have too much pain or you are hurting yourself and forcing your body. At the moment he is doing it naturally, so why not? It’s nice because they are taking American soccer to a different level. It’s everywhere the news, constantly, it doesn’t matter what happens. Before we didn’t get any. It’s going back to the times of David Beckham, when he went there.”

Suarez spent six years alongside Messi at Barcelona, winning La Liga titles and the Champions League. Even a player of his stature appreciates that opportunities to work with an all-time great should not be passed up or cut short. Poyet added on the appeal of working with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi: “For any player it would be amazing, it would be a privilege, but when you are so close as a friend – wow. Sometimes we say in other parts of life, when you move to a city you have a best friend there, or when you go to study at uni and you go with your best friend. That kind of situation makes it easy for you. Playing football with your best friend, and the best in the world, what else could you want? I could see him playing a few more years.”

Suarez has helped to keep Inter Miami in contention for Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup glory this season. He has seen Messi ruled out through injury on a couple of occasions, but their bond remains as strong as ever when competing together and the expectation is that there are more chapters to be written in their remarkable sporting fairytale.