Inter Miami boss Tata Martino offers worrying update on Luis Suarez's continued knee problems as Herons compete for Leagues Cup & MLS honours

The Uruguayan frontman, who is now 37 years of age, has been playing through pain for some time. He is prepared to put his body on the line, with the decision taken to move to Florida in order to reunite with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Suarez remains a prolific presence, with 15 goals recorded this season, but Martino has said of nursing the South American through every appearance – with the latest seeing him find the target in a Leagues Cup win over Puebla: “Well, [I substituted him in the 85th minute] because this situation where your knee can become inflamed is not something that has only just occurred. Maybe there were other instances you didn't even know about it. Now we had to say it publicly because he did not go to the All-Star Game, but it is a knee that he works on permanently, week by week. There are days that are better, there are weeks that are not.”

Suarez has said of his condition, with retirement plans being delayed when heading to the United States: “I always want to play, whether I have pain or I don’t have pain. Last year I suffered a lot at Gremio. This week I had some discomfort, but my body asked me to play because the club needed me and I wanted to be here. I gave maximum effort, I was happy to help the team.”

Inter Miami are looking to Suarez for attacking inspiration during the injury-enforced absence of captain Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is nursing an ankle problem, with no return date put in place, but the Herons continue to pick up Leagues Cup and MLS wins without him.