Lionel Messi And Luis Suarez Join Hands To Form Uruguayan Club Deportivo LSM

Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 07:26 IST

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez came together to co-found Deportivo LSM, a club in Uruguay's fourth division.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez (AP)

From their glory days at Barcelona to reuniting at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have now taken their enduring partnership to a new level by co-founding Deportivo LSM, a club set to compete in professional Uruguayan football.

Initially established as Deportivo LS by Suarez in 2018 in Ciudad de la Costa, the club focused on nurturing local talent and supporting the community through job opportunities and social initiatives.

On Tuesday, Suarez announced the club’s rebranding, adding an ‘M’ in honour of the Argentine captain, who has officially joined the project as a partner.

The team is now preparing to enter professional competition in the Uruguayan fourth division.

“Deportivo LS, a family project, began as a family dream in… We have grown significantly with more than three thousand members and infrastructure," Suarez said in a video on his Instagram account. “That’s why I decided for Deportivo LS to become part of the AUF (Uruguayan FA) structure, encompassing both youth and professional levels.

“This project is the perfect place to continue sharing our vision of football. So I invited my friend to join Deportivo LSM’s professional project," added the 38-year-old striker, referring to Messi.

According to media reports, the South American duo will jointly oversee operations while appointing a sports manager with experience in the local football scene.

“I would like to thank Luis for giving me this opportunity to share this project that he has been working on for many years and which has grown so much," Messi, 37, said.

“I hope to contribute as much as I can to continue growing and to be here alongside you."

Uruguay’s top scorer Suarez became Messi’s close partner on the pitch at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, forming one of the most prolific attacking duos in modern football.

In six seasons, they won 13 major titles together, including the Champions League, four LaLiga crowns, and four Copa del Rey trophies, while also forging a strong personal friendship off the pitch.

Their bond continued in 2023 when Suarez joined Messi at Inter Miami. Alongside former Barca teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the pair led the MLS club to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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