Does Luis Suarez want to beat Lionel Messi in MLS Golden Boot battle? Friendly rivalry between 10-goal Inter Miami superstars getting serious

The former Barcelona team-mates, who have been reunited in Florida for 2024, have enjoyed productive starts to the current campaign. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been at his mercurial best, with six goal contributions posted in his latest outing against the New York Red Bulls.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!

Stream games now

Having found the target in that contest, while contributing five assists, Messi is up to 10 MLS goals for the season. That return has been matched by Uruguayan frontman Suarez – who netted a hat-trick against the Red Bulls.

They top the scoring charts at present but, with a long way to go, Suarez has said in the Miami Herald when asked if he is determined to best his legendary colleague and claim a prestigious individual prize: “No, no. It’s not like that. We played together for a long time at Barcelona, and it was always like this, each helping the other. In 2015-16, Leo and Neymar helped me win the Golden Boot. The competition is to see your team-mate happy and work together to win. Note that [against the Red Bulls], Leo broke a league mark with five assists, something that had not been seen before, and that shows what kind of team-mate he is.”

Messi won the Pichini Trophy, as the top scorer in La Liga, on eight occasions during his time at Barcelona – along with six Golden Shoes. Suarez, meanwhile, has previously claimed Golden Boot honours in the Netherlands, England and Spain – with Ajax, Liverpool and Barca.