Lionel Messi has shared a heartwarming message for his close friend and Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez following his retirement from the national team.
Luis Suarez has decided to bring an end to his illustrious international career when he announced his retirement on September 3. The 37-year-old Uruguay legend served his country for 17 years, where he played in 142 international matches and scored 69 goals, becoming the South American nation’s all-time leading scorer.
As the former Liverpool and Barcelona star retired from international football, his close friend and current Inter Miami teammate Lionel Messi shared a touching message on social media. The pair had a close bond that they formed during their Blaugrana days, spanning six years from 2014 to 2020. They rekindled their team-mateship in 2024 after Suarez moved to MLS from Gremio.
On Instagram, the Argentine shared a photo of the two hugging and wrote in the caption: “You are so special, @luissuarez9, both on and off the pitch!!! I love you so much.”
Messi’s special message to Suarez (Photo: Insta Messi).
Suarez is understood to be playing his final match for Uruguay in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay at the Estadio Centenario, the team’s main home stadium.
Luis Suarez made his biggest mark in his international career with the 2011 Copa America, a tournament in which he, the former Atletico Madrid star, was named “Player of the Tournament”.
“I would never trade the South American title for anything. It was the best moment of my career and will forever be engraved in my memory,” Suarez shared.
Suarez has played in a total of nine major tournaments with Uruguay, and the 2024 Copa America, held in the United States this summer, is seen as the 37-year-old’s final major campaign for his country.
