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Luis Suárez 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 spoke about the tactical changes which saw him briefly lose his starting place under former coach Javier Mascherano.
Accept reduced role under Mascherano
The veteran striker faced an unusual situation in the 2025 MLS playoffs when he was relegated to the bench by Mascherano.
Following a first-round suspension against Nashville SC, Suárez found himself watching from the sidelines, a period which the striker admits was a test of his patience and professionalism.
“Obviously, at the time, Mascherano spoke to me about it and explained the situation to me. I understood it and I accepted it without problem,” Suárez told reporters on Wednesday.
“Of course, when you start spending fewer and fewer minutes on the pitch, you inevitably wonder why? What is the reason? Especially since the minutes I was playing weren’t really bad performances.
“But these are decisions that you have to accept. My job was to continue to work 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 has helped him grow emotionally at this late stage of his career.
Suárez entered the 2026 campaign as a substitute before eventually regaining his place in the XI under interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, already contributing
“Like any player’s career, not just mine, it has ups and downs. There are times when you feel good, and times when you don’t feel good,” Suarez explained.
“There was the suspension, followed by the period of not playing, that whole experience actually caused me to become calmer in a sense, I never came out to talk. 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 it’s 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
Suárez 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 time on his career, his performances alongside Messi proved that his instincts in front of goal remain world-class, fueled by a competitive fire that refuses to go out.
“The decision comes from the realization that you still have a little bit left in the tank, that the desire to continue to compete is still there,” Suarez said of his new deal.
“Well, it shows on the pitch. I always get frustrated by the defeats and the misplaced passes and we always savor those moments when we manage to score. I always have that adrenaline, that burning desire to keep playing.”
Relationship with fellow German striker Berterame
Suarez dismissed rumors of friction following the arrival of German Berterame, choosing instead to take on a mentoring role under interim boss Hoyos.
“My goal is just to help everyone who joins the team,” Suarez said, praising Berterame’s physical qualities and highlighting their fantastic relationship.
The veteran striker insisted that no matter how many new strikers arrive, he remains committed to supporting his teammates and helping them grow.
