'Suarez now a problem' - Gremio confirm former Barca man wants Messi reunion

Stuart Telford

• 22 Jul 2023 19:36 BST
• 3 min read

Luis Suarez has been linked with a transfer from Gremio to Inter Miami, where he would reunite with long-time Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, and now his coach has all but confirmed his intent to do so.

Inter are putting together a veritable Barca reunion party, with Tata Martino overseeing a side that now includes Messi, Sergio Busquets and, soon, Jordi Alba.

With the MLS' Designated Player Rule only allowing for three players to break the salary cap, the David Beckham-backed franchise will have to be creative if they are to also sign Suarez, although things like earning a percentage of a player's own jersey sales have been floated.

READ: How Inter Miami will line up with Messi and friends

Suarez has 13 goals and nine assists from his 30 games since arriving at Gremio on a free from Nacional in January, but now his manager Renato Gaucho has had enough of the will they-won't they saga.

Suarez 'now a problem'

"Suarez is now a problem that's in the president's hands," he said. "They're exchanging ideas. As a coach I have to focus on leading the team. It seems like a Mexican soap opera that should end now. Until 2 August I'm quiet, then we'll see how we continue.

"Of course we want Suarez to stay. I can't vouch for him. I know what he thinks and what the club thinks. For now, he's been talking to the board and the president."

READ: Barcelona’s 10 biggest transfer sale mistakes

Suarez and Messi spent six seasons together at Barcelona, three of those alongside Neymar as part of the fabled 'MSN' front three, before Suarez left for Atletico Madrid in 2020 - much to Messi's consternation.

Messi followed him out of the Camp Nou exit door the following year, reuniting with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

After two seasons in France he joined Inter, and scored on his debut - a 94th-minute free-kick - as the Herons beat Mexican side Cruz Azul in the newly formed Leagues Cup.