SUMMARY
- Suarez is the fourth star player to Inter Miami from FC Barcelona
- Before Suarez signed with FC Barcelona, Real Madrid also showed interest to sign him.
Inter Miami has managed to further strengthen its squad after recently completing the signing of Luis Suarez. Suarez has become the fourth former FC Barcelona star that Inter Miami has signed. While Suarez has yet to score an official goal, he has scored once against Al-Hilal in a friendly. However, Suarez has recently opened up about how he almost didn’t join FC Barcelona ten years ago.
In a recent interview, Luis Suarez revealed how besides FC Barcelona, Real Madrid was also interested in signing him. Before the 2014 World Cup, Suarez had an offer from Real Madrid who were planning to sell their striker Karim Benzema to Arsenal. It was not until the 2014 World Cup had kicked off that FC Barcelona also entered the race to sign the ex-Liverpool star.
ON THIS DAY: In 2014, Luis Suárez bit Giorgio Chiellini, eventually leading to a worldwide four month football ban. pic.twitter.com/qCX4kz6wYY
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 24, 2016
However, a particular incident during the 2014 World Cup led to Real Madrid lowering their interest in Suarez. During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Suarez got caught in controversy after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. As a result, Suarez was handed a four-match ban from all soccer-related activities. In a recent interview, Suarez said, “With the bite situation, Madrid lowered their interest, and Barça became more interested.”
🚨🎙️| Luis Suárez: “Before the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid wanted to sign me and everything was on track… They were planning to sell Benzema to Arsenal, it was all done.”
“When the World Cup started, Barça joined the race, and obviously I preferred Barça. With the bite… pic.twitter.com/sOf8yeVCYJ
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) February 17, 2024
The Uruguayan forward did add that Real Madrid didn’t withdraw their offer following the incident. However, Suarez chose FC Barcelona because he always preferred the Catalan club to their arch-rivals. In July 2014, Suarez completed his move to FC Barcelona in a deal reported to be worth $88.6 million. He stayed at the club for six seasons before leaving the club for Atletico Madrid in the 2020-2021 season.
Luis Suarez confirms Inter Miami will be the last club of his career
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez has also discussed about his plans for the future in an interview conducted a few days ago. Having played for some of the biggest clubs in the world like Ajax, Liverpool, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, Suarez joined Inter Miami this year from the Brazilian club Gremio. However, Suarez has confirmed that Inter Miami would be the last club of his career.
❗️Luis Suárez: “Inter Miami will be the last club in my career. I will retire here… I don’t know when, but it’s decided that this is my last club.” pic.twitter.com/hhsvufTxPv
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) February 15, 2024
During an interview with the Uruguayan radio program ‘La Mesa de los Galanes’, Suarez confirmed that he would hang up his boots after his Inter Miami stint. He said, “The date is not yet set, but this is the last step.” The statement doesn’t come as a shock as Suarez has previously complained about his chronic knee injury. Lastly, Suarez also confirmed that after his retirement, he isn’t thinking of becoming a coach.
Luis Suarez’s stats at FC Barcelona
Widely considered to be one of the best strikers of his generation and in soccer history, Luis Suarez spent six successful years at FC Barcelona. He won the La Liga four times, four Copa Del Rey titles, and two Spanish Super Cups. Moreover, he also won the UEFA Champions League once, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup title.
He played a total of 284 official matches and scored 198 official goals. He is the third-highest official goal scorer for FC Barcelona, surpassing the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Rivaldo, and Laszlo Kubala. Ahead of Suarez in the list is Cesar Rodriguez with 226 official goals and Suarez’s current Inter Miami teammate and close friend Lionel Messi with a record 672 official goals for the club (via Transfermarkt).