Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi Transition from the Pitch to Business
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, who teamed up on the field for many years, are now embarking on a new venture together as entrepreneurs. Suarez announced on Tuesday that he has founded a professional soccer club in Uruguay and plans to include some of his Inter Miami teammates in this endeavor.
In a social media video, Suarez, the top goal-scorer in Uruguay’s national team history, shared that the team formerly known as Deportivo LS has been rebranded as LSM and will compete in Uruguay’s fourth division. He expressed that "Deportivo LS has been a family dream since 2018, and we’ve grown tremendously with over 3,000 members. I aim to give back to Uruguayan soccer, creating opportunities and resources for children and teens in the communities I cherish."
At 38 years old, Suarez retired from international play last September. He enjoyed six seasons with Messi at Barcelona and has been his teammate at Inter Miami for the last two years. Messi joined Suarez in the announcement, expressing his pride in being part of the project, although details regarding his exact involvement remain unclear. Local reports suggest that former Uruguay national team player Álvaro Recoba may serve as the team’s coach.
Following the announcement, the club’s Instagram account garnered over 40,000 followers within two hours of its launch. Suarez and his family established a 20-acre sports complex in 2018 in Ciudad de la Costa, near Montevideo, which currently serves over 3,000 members. The club features a synthetic turf stadium with a capacity for 1,400 spectators.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it reflects the evolution of legendary players into influential figures in the sport beyond their playing careers. The potential growth and opportunities this club may provide could inspire future generations of talent in Uruguay and foster greater community engagement in local soccer.
