Romano reveals the next star to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami

4 Dec 2023 16:14 GMT
3 min read

Lionel Messi and the Inter Miami badge, set against an abstract light pink background — © ProShots

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Lionel Messi is set to link up with another one of his former Barcelona teammates at Inter Miami after Luis Suarez bowed out in his final match for Gremio.

Suarez scored the only goal of the game in his final appearance for Gremio as they beat Vasco de Gama in front of a sold-out crowd, with the veteran’s family joining him on the pitch as he bid farewell to the supporters.

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The 36-year-old joined the Brazilian side in January and scored 27 goals in 53 games across all competitions before his exit was announced earlier this week.

And now Romano has revealed Suarez is negotiating the final details of his contract with Inter Miami before joining them ahead of the new MLS season in March.

The deal will be valid for one year, according to Romano, with an option to extend for a further year, which will likely be dependent on Suarez’s fitness after the Uruguayan admitted he was in constant pain due to a career of injuries.

He said: “I can feel pain, my body is speaking for me. I want to enjoy and then decide for myself after a long career,' Suarez said on his future. I need to rest, enjoy my family… then the destiny will know where I'll be in the future.”

© ProShots - Luis Suarez has had an intensive season with Gremio

Suarez reveals chronic pain issues

Suarez opened up over the pain which has plagued him in recent years, admitting he needs to take constant medication before games and it has even stopped him from playing with his son.

He said: "Days before each game I take three pills, and hours before playing I get an injection. If not, I can't play. Hence the limp. I have to think that in maybe five years I won't be able to play 5-a-side football with my friends."

"The truth is that the first steps in the morning are very painful. Anyone who sees me thinks that it is impossible for me to play a game. My son asks me to play with him and I simply cannot."

Messi has already seen former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets join him in Miami along with manager Tata Martino and Suarez will now follow suit.