Luis Suárez fires up Inter Miami v Cruz Azul: “It’s a final”

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·16 September 2026

Luis Suárez fires up Inter Miami v Cruz Azul: “It’s a final”

Luis Suárez is already treating the showdown between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul like a true final. The Uruguayan striker spoke at a press conference after the Florida side’s training session and made it clear that the team cannot keep dwelling on its winless run.

The match against La Máquina, corresponding to the Campeones Cup, will also mark the beginning of a new era for Inter Miami with a new coach on the bench.

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For Suárez, the situation could not be clearer.

“You prepare yourself to play these kinds of matches, which are finals. There is no other day or moment to think about other than tomorrow.”

The Uruguayan admitted that the team still has unfinished business after its recent results, but believes the match is coming at the right time.

“We’re coming off several matches without a win and we know we owe a lot. The best situation for us is to face a final tomorrow with a new coach who arrives with positive energy.”

Suárez highlights the new coach

The arrival of the new manager has also created excitement inside the locker room.

Suárez explained that when he heard the news, he looked for references from former teammates who had worked with the coach and received positive feedback.

“When you get the news that you’re going to have a new coach, you always try to find information. I have former teammates who worked with him and they speak very highly of him.”

The striker especially highlighted the energy conveyed during his first contacts with the squad.

“He’s a very emotional coach, and he showed that today. There are tactical issues that we have to correct from now on.”

During the training session before the match, the coaching staff worked on different aspects to try to counter Cruz Azul’s pressing and approach.

“We worked on the tactical side, looking at how they press and how we should position ourselves tactically.”

Inter Miami wants to leave the bad run behind

Suárez knows that Inter Miami needs to regain confidence and believes the Campeones Cup represents an opportunity to do so.

The forward also highlighted how much MLS has grown and the steady arrival of high-level players to the competition.

“MLS has grown a lot. It’s showing that in every transfer window.”

In his opinion, Inter Miami’s participation in last year’s Club World Cup also helped increase the league’s exposure.

“Last year we left a good impression at the Club World Cup, and that attracts a lot of players.”

Cruz Azul gives Suárez extra motivation

The striker acknowledged that facing Mexican clubs brings additional motivation.

“Facing teams like the Mexican ones motivates you a little more.”

Inter Miami heads into the match needing to regain confidence, while Cruz Azul will look to take advantage of the moment to win another international title.

Suárez knows the result will carry significant weight, but asked for the match to be viewed from a competitive perspective.

“We are professionals and we are approaching tomorrow’s match like a final; that’s how we see it.”

Suárez does not set a date for retirement

At 39 years old, the Uruguayan was also asked how much longer he plans to keep playing.

His answer was clear: he does not want to set a date.

“Retirement from football is something you have to let happen naturally. At this stage I’m enjoying myself and helping the team.”

The striker also does not see himself becoming a coach once his career is over.

“The idea of becoming a coach is not my goal, it’s not my path. I’d rather be a sporting director.”

“Social media does a lot of harm”

Suárez also spoke about the criticism received by Inter Miami’s stars, especially when results do not go their way.

The Uruguayan believes social media can amplify any result.

“Social media nowadays does a lot of harm.”

He even imagined the two possible scenarios after the match against Cruz Azul:

“Maybe we lose the final and they’ll say: ‘Messi, Suárez, De Paul... Inter Miami lost another final.’ If we win it, they’ll say: ‘That cup doesn’t matter.’”

For Suárez, criticism is part of professional football, and experience has taught him how to live with it.

“Football is like that. You have to live with it and you have to be strong. Praise weakens you and criticism makes you stronger.”

Now, all the attention is on the Campeones Cup.

Inter Miami and Cruz Azul are playing for a title, and Luis Suárez has already made it clear how he sees the match: for him, there is no better word to define it than “final.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.