Luis Suarez has bitten back at his critics, with the Inter Miami star saying “people in soccer do not have memory” after opening his MLS goal account.
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Ex-Barcelona striker reunited with MessiManaging long-standing knee problemsHas his first MLS goals for the HeronsWHAT HAPPENED?
The veteran Uruguayan frontman has been reunited with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Chase Stadium. He is now 37 years of age and is having to manage long-standing knee problems that will impact how many games he is able to play in 2024.
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He has figured prominently for Inter Miami so far, but had seen questions asked of his contribution after struggling for goals. After bagging a brace in a 5-0 MLS demolition of Florida neighbours Orlando City, Suarez said: “From an individual standpoint, I am happy to be able to help the team. A striker and professional soccer player has to be accustomed to living with daily criticism. People in soccer do not have memory so in that sense I am very used to it. I have been playing professional soccer for almost 20 years, so I do not worry about things that people might be saying.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Suarez has the full backing of those around him in Miami, with Herons boss Tata Martino saying: “I said last week that to analyse a player when the team did not play a good game is unjust. The reality is the team played very well and Luis shined in all his splendour, not only as a goal-scorer but also with his assists.”
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USMNT star Julian Gressel added on seeing Suarez rediscover his spark in a talismanic performance: “He left it all on the field without talking, and it is obviously very nice and it gives the whole group a good feeling when he is doing that type of stuff. Two goals, two assists, and an unbelievable assist as well where he is on a hat-trick in the first half and (instead) squares the ball to Robert (Taylor). I think that shows who he is, that shows what he does for this team, and how important he is. To have a guy like him on the team with that individual quality, I think we saw it today. That is something that is certainly good to have moving forward.”