“He’ll be Using More of His Intelligence Than His Legs” – Luis Suarez’s Fitness Woes Ring Alarms Just After MLS Debut with Inter Miami

Luis Suarez has had a decent MLS debut with Inter Miami. Though the star striker did not score a goal, he set up midfielder Diego Gomez for a winning finish in Miami’s 2-0 win against Real Salt Lake. However, now certain soccer analysts opine that Suarez’s performance in his debut was rather sloppy. The concerns over Suarez’s fitness have remained as the player has also been struggling with a chronic knee problem and has missed out on some crucial action in the preseason friendlies.

The analysts opined that in the debut he started strongly but struggled to press consistently toward the end. Hence, the Uruguayan has been pipped to resort to shrewd gameplay going ahead, rather than physically committing fully.

Analyst expects Luis Suarez to change strategy, as he ‘looked his age’ in the MLS opener

Analysts, Sebastian Salazar and Kasey Keller broke down Inter Miami’s win against Real Salt Lake in a recent episode of ESPN FC’s ‘Futbol Americas.’ Salazar said Lionel Messi got better, but Luis Suarez was heading in the “opposite direction.” He added, “He [Suarez] looked every bit of 37. Six weeks ago, he sat in front of me in Fort Lauderdale and told me his knee was okay. I should’ve asked him about the rest of his body. I’m worried about Luis Suarez.” Soon, Keller said Inter Miami’s and Suarez’s pressing dropped towards the end. “I’ve always admired Suarez for his work rate. Now he’s going to have to find ways to say ‘Okay, we’ll press for 5 minutes here, and we’ll drop off. He’ll be using more of his intelligence than his legs,” Kasey Keller said.

Suarez’s signing is indeed a wise move for Inter Miami, considering his chemistry with former Barcelona players Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. However, the move is also arguably a double-edged sword. At the heart of this concern is the Uruguayan’s osteoarthritis on his right knee, among other fitness worries. The MLS’ rigorous travel schedule, coupled with weather conditions, will also threaten the 37-year-old’s run with the Herons.

Suarez’s knee problem that once jeopardized his Inter Miami move

To recover from his knee problem, Luis Suarez underwent surgery in 2020. Nevertheless, the pain came back to haunt Suarez during his Gremio stint in 2023. Speaking of Suarez’s condition, Gremio’s head coach revealed the player took daily injections to ease his knee pain. Hence, it was highly doubted if David Beckham and co. will ever reunite El Pistolero with La Pulga.

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While the knee problem particularly has not marred Suarez’s Miami run, he has spent quite some time on the bench during the preseason. Tata Martino benched him and Messi for the entirety of Miami’s Hong Kong friendly after the medical team said it would be a big risk to play the duo. What are your expectations from Suarez’s Inter Miami stint? Tell us in the comments.

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