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Luis Suarez has opened up about his decision to sign a contract extension with Inter Miami, revealing that his “burning desire” to compete remains as strong as ever despite being 39 years old.
The Uruguayan legend, who remains a focal point of the Herons’ attack alongside Lionel Messi, also addressed the tactical changes that saw him briefly lose his starting job under former coach Javier Mascherano.
Accept a reduced role with Mascherano
The veteran forward faced an unfamiliar situation during the 2025 MLS playoffs when Mascherano relegated him to the bench.
Following a suspension in the first round against Nashville SC, Suarez found himself watching from the sidelines, a period the striker admits was a test of his patience and professionalism.
“Evidently, at the time Mascherano spoke to me about it and explained the situation to me. I understood it and accepted it without problems,” Suárez told reporters on Wednesday.
“Of course, when you start getting fewer and fewer minutes on the field, you inevitably wonder why. What’s the reason? Especially since the minutes I played weren’t exactly bad performances.
“But hey, those are decisions you have to accept. My job was to keep working hard day in and day out, trying to prove that I deserved a little more playing time.”
Finding inner peace through struggle.
Despite the frustration of playing a supporting role, the former Barcelona and Liverpool star believes the experience helped him grow emotionally in this latest stage of his career.
Suárez entered the 2026 campaign as a substitute before eventually regaining his place in the XI under interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, and is already contributing
“Like any player’s career, not just mine, it goes through ups and downs. There are moments in which you feel very good and others in which you feel bad,” Suárez explained.
“There was the suspension, followed by the period of not playing, that whole experience actually led me to be calmer in a sense, I never came out to speak. Then obviously when you start playing again, you start to feel like yourself again, you feel happy and involved, which is what you always want, and you get your confidence back.
“But these are the ups and downs that every player goes through, and I’ve certainly experienced a lot of them throughout my career.”
The motivation behind the 2026 extension
Suarez officially committed his future to the South Florida club by signing a one-year extension in December.
While many expected the iconic striker to call it a career, his performances alongside Messi have shown that his instincts in front of goal remain world-class, fueled by a competitive fire that refuses to go out.
“The decision comes from realizing that you still have a little left in the tank, that the desire to continue competing is still there,” Suárez said about his new contract.
“And, well, you can see it on the field: I still get frustrated by losses and misplaced passes and I still savor those moments when you manage to score. I still have that adrenaline, that burning desire to keep playing.”
Relationship with the German forward Berterame
Suarez has dismissed rumors of friction following the arrival of German Berterame and has opted to take on a mentoring role under interim boss Hoyos.
“My goal is simply to help anyone who joins the team,” said Suárez, praising Berterame’s physical qualities and highlighting their fantastic relationship.
The veteran forward insisted that regardless of how many new forwards arrive, he remains committed to supporting his teammates and helping them grow.
