Inter Miami are set to kick off the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ahly on Saturday in one of the most anticipated—and hotly debated—tournaments in recent years. Speaking on the eve of the opener, star forward Luis Suarez voiced frustration with Major League Soccer’s roster-building constraints, claiming, “They don’t let us compete.”
After dominating the 2024 MLS regular season and capturing the Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami saw several key departures, including Diego Gomez, Leonardo Campana, and Matias Rojas. Those players have yet to be adequately replaced, and the team has struggled in 2025 under new head coach Javier Mascherano to find consistency and cohesion.
Speaking to reporters Friday morning, Suárez addressed how MLS restrictions have impacted roster depth and quality: “We’re the players who were selected to play, and we know about the restrictions MLS imposes, which don’t allow us to compete financially at the level we’d like to. But we have to go into tomorrow’s match and compete in the best way possible with the squad we have.”
Despite the constraints, Suarez remains confident Inter Miami can challenge even the strongest opponents. “Even if one team is more favored than the other, at the end of the day it’s 11 vs. 11 on the pitch—that’s where matches are really decided. Sometimes, it’s the little details that can make the difference,” he added.
Major League Soccer enforces strict financial regulations to ensure parity among clubs, including salary caps and roster rules. While intended to preserve competitive balance, these rules have made it difficult for MLS teams to bolster their squads for international tournaments. Of the three MLS sides in this year’s Club World Cup—Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, and LAFC—only LAFC made a signing in the special June window, acquiring Javairo Dilrosun on loan from Club America.
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At 38, Suarez views this Club World Cup as a special opportunity late in his storied career. He emphasized the importance of appreciating the moment, even with his team’s challenges. “It’s a reward we need to enjoy—especially at our age. Being back at a Club World Cup is special, and we have to savor it however we can. On the field, it’s tough because of our competitive DNA, but it’s something to make the most of after so many years,” Suárez said.
Inter Miami finding their game
Inter Miami will open the tournament on Saturday, June 14 at 8 p.m. ET against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly—a crucial match if the Herons hope to make a deep run in the competition. Asked about his recent form, Suárez deflected attention from himself and focused on the collective effort.
“I’m happy mainly for the team. On an individual level, I’m 38 years old—I’m not going to beat myself up if I go two, three, or four matches without scoring. What matters is the team, building confidence, finding rhythm, and doing what the coach asks of us.”
Suárez also reflected on Inter Miami’s recent wins over CF Montreal and Columbus Crew, and the momentum they built heading into the tournament. “We come away with good feelings from the last two matches, especially for how we performed physically. That’s the most important thing as we head into the Club World Cup,” Suarez concluded.
