Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez revealed his admiration for teammate Lionel Messi following a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire, with the soccer icon unavailable following the FIFA World Cup Final.
Major League Soccer action resumed on Wednesday, with Antoine Griezmann finding the net on his debut for Orlando City and Robert Lewandowski making his first start for Chicago. The marquee game went on without Messi, who had only recently wrapped up his World Cup duties with Argentina.
Messi will be sidelined for at least a week, keeping him out of the MLS All-Star Game on July 29, but Miami managed to secure victory at home in his absence. Suarez netted twice and delivered in Messi's stead, though he shared a tribute to his close friend following the match, as per The Mirror US.
Argentina fell 1-0 in extra time to Spain in the World Cup Final, and Messi was in tears after the game. Argentina came close to becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup, but were outplayed by Spain.
Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will now be absent from the next several MLS fixtures as they recuperate from a demanding summer competition, placing the onus on Suarez to rise to the occasion. He delivered on Wednesday, but reflected on his absent teammates after the match.
"Now it's up to him (Messi) to rest, it's up to them to rest after several days, several weeks with their national team," Suarez said. "And well, one has to try to take on the part that belongs to us, but not only one, but it is the collective work that we have been doing, preparing for the rest of the season."
Messi turned 39 during the World Cup, but netted eight times and provided four assists as he led Argentina to the Final. Questions had been raised about Messi's capabilities entering the tournament given his age, but he immediately quieted the doubters with a hat-trick in the opening match.
Although he fell short of securing a second World Cup trophy, Suarez expressed admiration for what Messi demonstrated and achieved. "Well, obviously, it is admirable; it is another demonstration of the ambition he has for being the best player in the world," Suarez said.
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"Until the last game, leaving everything to his national team up there, I think he has zero reproaches against him for what he showed, for his age.
"And well, I think he is an example for all people in football, because with his age he could have been at home, and it was with that desire again to show that he wanted to win another World Cup for his country, and unfortunately he could not."
Suarez, likewise 39, has faced scrutiny over his capabilities and is approaching retirement. Nevertheless, he delivered an impressive performance for Miami on Wednesday and continues to rank among MLS's elite forwards.
"Well, obviously, one tries to work. We had a very good preseason this week," he said. "Despite the age I am, I continue to show the ambition I have to continue playing football, which is the passion I have had since I was a kid.
"And well, since I was a kid, since I made my debut, no one gave me anything. Until the last day I will continue to give everything to play football."
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
