Uruguayan football star Luis Suarez and Argentine legend Lionel Messi have taken their famous partnership off the field to start a new football club in Uruguay. The club, named LSM, is an upgrade of the existing Deportivo LS and will now compete professionally in the fourth division of Uruguayan football.
The announcement was made by Suarez on Tuesday through a video shared on his social media platforms. Sitting beside him was his longtime friend and former teammate, Messi, who confirmed he will be part of the project.
“Deportivo LS is a family dream that began in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than 3,000 members,” Suarez, 38, said. “I want to give Uruguayan football, the place I love and where I grew up, more opportunities and tools for young people to grow.”
Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time top scorer and a global football icon. He played with Messi for six successful years at FC Barcelona, winning numerous trophies together, and the pair reunited in 2023 at Inter Miami in the U.S.
“I’m proud and happy that you chose me,” Messi said in the video. “I hope to contribute everything I can to help this club grow, and most importantly, to stand by your side in this new journey.”
Although Messi’s exact role in the club has not been made official, local media in Uruguay reported that he will be a co-owner. Former Uruguayan international and Inter Milan star Alvaro Recoba is expected to coach the team.
The club’s new name, LSM, likely reflects the initials of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, showing their personal connection to the project. The announcement also launched the club’s Instagram account, which gathered over 40,000 followers just two hours after going live.
The foundation for the new club has been building since 2018 when Suarez and his family opened a 20-acre sports complex in Ciudad de la Costa, near Montevideo. The facility includes training fields, a synthetic turf stadium that seats 1,400 spectators, and various youth programs.
The main goal, Suarez said, is to support youth development and provide a platform for children and teenagers in Uruguay to grow through sport.
This move is seen by many as a way for Suarez to give back to his country and support the next generation of football talent. The involvement of Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, adds global attention and credibility to the project.
Both stars are still active players at Inter Miami, but this club venture signals a possible move toward their long-term future in football, beyond playing.
For football fans in Uruguay and around the world, the launch of LSM marks a new chapter in the legendary friendship and football journey of Suarez and Messi.
