Luis Suárez: Inter Miami paying price for Alba and Busquets retirements as 2026 campaign s

Suárez pinpoints Alba and Busquets departures as central to Inter Miami's struggles

Who, what, when and why it matters: Luis Suárez told reporters on Wednesday that Inter Miami's disappointing 2026 campaign is in part a consequence of losing Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets to retirement. Suárez — who has seen his playing time increase under new head coach Guillermo Hoyos after a limited role under Javier Mascherano — said the pair's departures removed key outlets in build-up and attacking play, leaving the team unable to reproduce the 2025 form that delivered the MLS Cup.

Tactical and squad implications of losing two senior leaders

Suárez was candid about the tactical impact of Alba and Busquets leaving. He said Inter Miami previously routed much of its build-up through Busquets and relied on Jordi Alba's attacking runs and creativity. According to the World Soccer Talk piece, SofaScore data showed both departed players led Miami in passes completed per game and long balls during the 2025 MLS season, while Alba finished his time with the club as the franchise's second-highest assist provider with 33. Suárez warned the team needed a different approach after the departures but admitted the transition has been difficult.

The club attempted to replace the pair in the winter by signing Sergio Reguilón and David Ayala, per the report, but neither has established himself in the lineup. Instead, younger players Noah Allen and Yannick Bright have logged the most minutes in those roles so far in 2026 — a pattern Suárez identified as contributing to inconsistency because of youth and inexperience.

Home form and recent results

Inter Miami's home form has been a particular concern. World Soccer Talk reports the team has drawn three straight home matches at Nu Stadium (formerly Miami Freedom Park) and suffered a 4-3 home defeat to Orlando City that Suárez described as a painful setback that required brutal self-reflection. He dismissed stadium conditions or adjustment to the new venue as primary reasons and pointed instead to the competitiveness of MLS and pressure around securing results at home.

• Luis Suárez said Alba and Busquets were "very significant losses" to Inter Miami's play (World Soccer Talk).
• SofaScore data cited in the report indicated Alba and Busquets led Miami in passes completed per game and long balls in 2025.
• Jordi Alba finished his Inter Miami spell as the club's second-highest assist provider with 33 (World Soccer Talk).
• Sergio Reguilón and David Ayala were brought in as replacements but have struggled to cement places, while Noah Allen and Yannick Bright have logged more minutes (World Soccer Talk).
• Inter Miami have drawn three straight home matches at Nu Stadium and lost 4-3 to Orlando City in their most recent home game (World Soccer Talk).
• Suárez has seen more consistent minutes under new coach Guillermo Hoyos after limited involvement under Javier Mascherano (World Soccer Talk).

What it means for Miami's season and next steps

Suárez set his sights on reversing the home run: he said the team will face two away matches before returning to Nu Stadium and aims to give the fans a home victory. The report notes a specific upcoming fixture — a home match against the Portland Timbers on May 17 — as the target for earning that first win at their new ground.

Given the blend of youth in key positions, recent transfer additions that have not yet settled, and a concerning run of home results, Inter Miami face tactical and selection choices in the short term: whether to accelerate the integration of Reguilón and Ayala, rely on younger options like Allen and Bright while they gain experience, or adjust the team’s build-up strategy to compensate for the loss of Busquets and Alba.