Inter Miami are very close to renewing Luis Suárez’s contract through December 2026, according to The Athletic, and the decision says far more about the club’s long-term project than just what shows up on the stat sheet. Even after losing ground and finishing the MLS playoffs as a substitute, the Uruguayan is still viewed internally as an important piece, both for what he continues to deliver on the field and for what he represents off it. This renewal isn’t about nostalgia, it’s a strategic call.
Suárez joined Inter Miami in December 2023, shortly after leaving Grêmio, to reunite with Lionel Messi and help solidify a team that was already built with a global profile in mind. Expectations were always high, and the numbers back it up. Despite physical limitations and his age, he delivered. He finished the season with 17 goals and 17 assists in 50 appearances, logging more than four thousand minutes across all competitions.
Strong numbers, even stronger context
Looking only at the fact that Suárez was a reserve during the final stretch of the MLS playoffs can lead to a shallow reading. Inter Miami won the title, adjusted the squad at key moments and made deliberate choices. None of that erases what Suárez produced over the course of the season or diminishes his importance within the group.
The Uruguayan is no longer a young forward expected to play at full throttle every single week, and the club is well aware of that. Extending his deal through the end of 2026 reflects that understanding. The idea isn’t to ask him to carry the team, but to keep him as part of an experienced core, capable of deciding specific matches, guiding younger players and sustaining a high competitive standard.
Then there’s the Messi factor, which simply can’t be ignored. The connection between the two goes beyond tactical chemistry. They read each other with a glance, occupy space almost instinctively and raise the collective level whenever they’re on the field together. For a club that sells image, engagement and soccer at the same time, preserving that partnership makes perfect sense.
Experience, calculated risk and impact on the project
Of course, Suárez isn’t a risk-free player. He’s faced disciplinary punishments for conduct issues throughout his career, part of the deal when you’re dealing with strong personalities. Even so, Inter Miami appear comfortable with that history. The club believes the balance has been positive and that, so far, the forward has contributed far more than he’s caused problems.
This potential renewal also sends a clear message to MLS. Inter Miami don’t want to be just a media-driven team or a short-lived phenomenon. They’re aiming for sustained competitiveness, international relevance and a clear identity. Suárez, even at a different stage of his career, helps support that vision.