The End of a Golden Era in Miami

The arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in 2023 marked the beginning of a new chapter for both the club and MLS. Around the Argentine superstar, a project was built to reunite several of his legendary FC Barcelona teammates — including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez — with the aim of transforming David Beckham’s franchise into a global powerhouse.

However, two years later, that cycle seems to be coming to a close. Both Busquets and Alba have already announced that they will retire at the end of the 2025 season, and all eyes are now on the Uruguayan striker, whose contract also expires on December 31, 2025.

Club president Jorge Más recently addressed the situation, hinting that Suárez’s retirement could arrive sooner than expected:

“It depends on him if he stays. Luis Suárez has the heart of a footballer. He gives everything, but his knees are catching up with him. His problem isn’t emotional — it’s physical.”

His comments reflect the reality inside the club: the Uruguayan remains a leader on and off the pitch, but injuries and the passing of time are starting to set the limits.

Messi Left Standing Alone in His American Adventure

For Messi, the potential farewell of his close friend Suárez would mark the definitive end of an era. From their unforgettable days at Barcelona to their reunion in Miami, the pair have shared 292 matches, winning 13 titles together and forming one of the most lethal attacking partnerships in modern football history: 296 goals and 110 assists combined.

In MLS, they’ve managed to rekindle some of that magic, but they’ve also faced an undeniable reality: time waits for no one. With Busquets and Alba retiring and Suárez evaluating his next steps, Messi could soon be the last remaining member of the golden generation that changed European football forever.

As the Argentine considers a contract extension ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Inter Miami is preparing for a significant transformation. New names like Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Reguilón are being linked as key pieces for the club’s rebuild as it bids farewell to its legends.

A Goodbye That Will Leave a Mark

The end of Luis Suárez’s professional career appears to be a matter of time. At 38 years old, “El Pistolero” has made it clear that his priority is to protect his body and dedicate himself to personal projects, including ventures back home in Uruguay.

The era of Messi’s old friends at Inter Miami is fading, but the legacy they leave behind — a mix of nostalgia, friendship, and brilliance — will be remembered as one of the most emotional chapters in MLS and modern football history.