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Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez has opened up playing through the pain after scoring for the Herons against Puebla in the Leagues Cup yesterday (July 28). The Uruguayan revealed that he felt some discomfort during the clash but was happy to have helped the team clinch an important victory.
Inter Miami kicked off their Leagues Cup campaign this season with a clash with Puebla at the Chase Stadium on Sunday. The defending champions couldn't rely on their talisman Lionel Messi, who picked up an ankle injury on international duty for Argentina in the Copa America.
In the absence of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Luis Suarez stepped up to the plate with a brilliant performance that saw him score once in a 2-0 win for the Miamians.
“I always want to play, whether I have pain or I don’t have pain," said the striker (via GOAL). "Last year, I suffered a lot at Gremio. This week I had some discomfort, but my body asked me to play because the club needed me and I wanted to be here."
"I gave maximum effort, I was happy to help the team. Some goals you enjoy a little less because your team-mates make it so easy for you to score, but they are goals all the same and I am coming off a difficult week, so it felt good to score,” he added.
Luis Suarez has now bagged 15 goals and seven assists in 23 appearances across all competitions since joining Inter Miami as a free agent from Gremio last year. He will be happy after kicking off the new season in style with his opener at the weekend.
What's next for Luis Suarez and Inter Miami
After beating Puebla at the weekend, Inter Miami will now take on Tigres UANL in their next Leagues Cup game on Sunday, August 4. They will then play their opening game of the new MLS season versus FC Cincinnati on August 25.
This will be followed by more MLS fixtures against the likes of Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta United, New York City FC and Charlotte in that order - all scheduled to take place in September.
It is worth noting that it is still unclear as to when Lionel Messi will be back in action as a timeline is yet to be announced about his recovery. Luis Suarez is also a doubt for the MLS opener versus Cincinnati amid fitness concerns.
