Luis Suarez confirms Gremio exit but denies links to join Messi in MLS

Luis Suarez confirms departure from Gremio but denies talks of plans to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, as chronic knee issues could force him to retire

  • Suarez will see his two-year contract with Gremio end in December of this year
  • The 36-year-old played with Messi for six years at Barcelona, from 2016-2020 
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

Luis Suarez has confirmed that he will leave Brazilian Serie A side Gremio earlier than expected, denying any speculation tipping him to reunite with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, of the MLS.

The 36-year-old, Uruguay star initially joined Gremio on a two-year deal in January, but revealed on Saturday that the club has agreed to renegotiate the length of his contract, bringing it to an end in December of this year. 

‘I feel that next year I will not able able to perform due to my fitness and the high demands of the Brazilian championship, which is why the club and I have spoken about ending my contract [with Gremio] a year early,’ said Suarez. 

‘That would be in December. The club agreed and I’m grateful to them. I don’t know if I’ll continue to play somewhere else because I have a chronic issue with my knee that you all know about. 

‘I’d ask Gremio supporters to value the fact that they have a 37-year-old player who always plays despite having a lot of his pain in his knee. That’s all I ask.’ 

Luis Suarez has revealed that his contact with Gremio will now expire in December of this year

Suarez was one of Messi’s former Barcelona teammates who was widely tipped to follow the Argentine’s path to the MLS after Inter Miami recruited Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. 

But, the striker has been quick to deny such talks. 

‘I’m well aware that Inter Miami spoke with Gremio and that the club told them that I have a contract. I can say that [Inter Miami] has not spoken to me,’ Suarez revealed.

Together, Messi and Suarez won three LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, a Supercopa de Espana, a Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club Word Cup after the latter’s £64.98million move from Liverpool in the summer of 2014. 

Together, Lionel Messi and Suarez formed one of Europe’s deadliest attacks from 2014-2020

If Suarez joins Miami, then he’ll follow the path of Sergio Busquets (right) linking up with Messi

The attacking pair also formed a close bond off the pitch while playing together for six years in Barcelona, from 2014-2020, with Suarez once describing Messi as his ‘best friend’ at the club in a 2016 interview.

Suarez could still link up with his best for the start of the 2024 MLS season, although it’ll depend on the severity of his knee issues.

Inter Miami currently sit in last place of the MLS’ Eastern Conference standings with 18 points in 22 matches despite having won both of their last two matches since Messi’s arrival earlier this month. 

The Herons will resume MLS action on August 20, facing Charlotte at home.

Source: Read Full Article