No longer just the Lionel Messi show! How Luis Suarez is making life easier for Inter Miami & more difficult for MLS rivals

The Herons captured the imagination of a global audience when adding eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi to their books in 2023. He inspired them to a historic Leagues Cup triumph and is expected to help put Tata Martino’s side in contention for more major honours during his first full season in the United States.

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He has been reunited in Florida with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, while veteran Uruguayan frontman Suarez joined the ex-Barcelona contingent at Chase Stadium in January. They have helped Inter Miami to make the perfect start to their 2024 MLS campaign, in a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, with opponents having multiple threats to contend with.

Finnish midfielder Taylor has explained the benefits of having Suarez alongside Messi, telling reporters: “Last year we talked about how Messi opened up so much space, but you have Messi and Suarez now…it opens a lot of space for me on the wing. They link so well together, so they attract a lot of defenders to them, so it leaves space for me also sometimes.”

Taylor opened the scoring against RSL, before Diego Gomez wrapped up the points. Gomez, who joined the Herons alongside Messi in July 2023, added on playing alongside all-time greats and how they are improving his game: “The opportunity to play was really important for me and I came in very focused and Tata has shown confidence in me since I arrived. We came in with a different mentality tonight. I’m really happy to be here playing with such great players and interact with them and enjoy the experience of being with them.”

Inter Miami will be looking to make it two wins from two at the start of the new MLS season when they travel to the LA Galaxy on Sunday. Martino will have to rotate at times, in a bid to keep everyone fit and firing, but opponents will be kept guessing ahead of each team sheet dropping.