Luis Suarez admits Inter Miami spell is 'last challenge' before retirement

Luis Suarez has revealed his retirement is close, admitting he expects Inter Miami to be the final club of his playing career.

Uruguayan legend Suarez had a glittering spell in Europe, emerging as a world class star at Liverpool before winning a host of trophies with Barcelona, forming a deadly attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Neymar during his time at Camp Nou.

He has since reunited with Messi in the United States after spells with Atletico Madrid, Nacional and Gremio, but 37-year-old Suarez says his playing days are almost over, referencing the heavy toll his career has had on his body.

He told Uruguayan radio show ‘La mesa de los galanes’: “Yes, I cannot be more sincere and my family already knows. The retirement date is not set, but Inter Miami is the last step.

“I’m prepared for this last challenge, but it’s also exhausting, I have to think about my quality of life afterwards.”

Suarez has reunited with Messi at Inter Miami / Simon M Bruty/GettyImages

Suarez signed for Inter Miami as a free agent after leaving Gremio, feeling he couldn’t play another full season in Brazil due to a knee problem and the large travelling distances before games.

He joined former Barca teammates Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets at the club owned by David Beckham, with hopes high for a successful 2024 MLS season.

On their championship aspirations, Suarez added: “I don’t know if we have the obligation to be champions, but we are one of the candidates and it is certain that all the teams will want to beat us.”

Suarez scored 82 goals in 110 appearances for Liverpool, including 31 in the 2013/14 Premier League season when the Reds finished second, and was an instant hit at Barca. After netting 25 strikes in all competitions in his debut campaign, the striker bagged 59 in 2015/16 as the Blaugrana won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

He would win another Spanish title with Atletico Madrid after being booted out of the Barca squad by then manager Ronald Koeman.