Even as their current club, Inter Miami, hits a rough patch in Major League Soccer, global football icons Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are turning their focus to building a legacy off the pitch — this time in Uruguay. The duo recently announced the launch of a new football club, Deportivo LSM, marking the beginning of a bold venture into football ownership.
A Shared Dream Turned Reality
In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Suarez and Messi jointly unveiled their new project: a Uruguayan fourth-division football club, initially founded as Deportivo LS in 2021 and now renamed Deportivo LSM — incorporating the initials of both superstars.
Suarez, a native of Uruguay, revealed that the idea had been seven years in the making. The club, based just outside Montevideo, already boasts over 80 staff members and a growing community of 3,000 registered members. It offers a range of sports and developmental programs geared towards children and teenagers, emphasizing not just athletic growth but also personal development.
“We aim not only to provide sports facilities but also to serve teenagers from a humanistic perspective, giving them opportunities we didn’t have when we were young,” Suarez said. “We’ll work hard with a calm mindset to turn this long-dreamed-of project into a reality.”
Messi Joins the Mission
The announcement took an emotional turn when Suarez introduced Messi, calling him “a friend and teammate” with whom he has shared countless milestones since their early days in football.
Messi responded with gratitude:
“You’ve worked hard on this project for years, and it has grown significantly. It’s a great honor and joy for me to be a part of it now. I hope to do my best and work side by side with you.”
With Messi officially on board, the club’s crest has been updated to feature the initials “LSM”, symbolizing the joint ownership and shared vision of the two football greats.
Building Beyond the Pitch
Deportivo LSM is more than just a football club — it’s a community project with a clear goal: to compete in the Uruguayan Football Association system and foster a new generation of talent with access to facilities and mentorship that neither Messi nor Suarez had growing up.
This initiative also signals a transition for both legends, who are gradually preparing for life after professional football. Their bond — forged at FC Barcelona, where they won a combined 14 major titles including a Champions League and multiple La Liga trophies — continues to evolve from teammates to partners in football development.
Meanwhile in Miami…
Back in the United States, things haven’t been as rosy. Inter Miami, now under the leadership of another former Barcelona star Javier Mascherano, are enduring a rough MLS season. The Herons currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and have won just one of their last eight matches across all competitions. This includes a disappointing exit in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals, losing back-to-back to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Despite the club’s current struggles, Messi and Suarez’s joint commitment to the game through Deportivo LSM suggests that their passion for football — and for each other’s company — goes far beyond the pitch.
Final Whistle
Deportivo LSM is a symbol of legacy, vision, and friendship — a fresh chapter for Messi and Suarez as they shift from global superstars to football ambassadors and community builders. And while the lights may one day dim on their playing careers, their impact on the game looks set to shine for years to come.
