The 2025 Leagues Cup final was disappointing for Inter Miami, not just because they lost 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders, but also because of the chaos that followed. Luis Suarez drew attention after spitting on a player from the opposing team, leading to widespread criticism.
Suarez received significant backlash on social media for his actions and was compared to his notorious 2014 World Cup incident, where he bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.
Gene Ramirez, from the Seattle Sounders coaching staff and the target of the spit, humorously noted, “I was waiting for the bite,” while speaking to reporters after the game.
Suarez wasn’t alone in the post-match conflict; Sergio Busquets was seen on video throwing a punch at Mexican forward Obed Vargas. In contrast, Lionel Messi avoided the fight and assisted in calming the situation at Lumen Field Stadium.
Suarez’s history of on-field incidents
This incident is not the first time Luis Suarez has stirred controversy with his behavior on the field. He has bitten opponents on three different occasions.
The first incident happened in 2010 when he was with Ajax against PSV, biting Otman Bakkal. His second biting incident was in 2013 while with Liverpool against Chelsea, this time targeting defender Branislav Ivanovic. The most notorious incident occurred during the 2014 World Cup.
In a group stage match between Uruguay and Italy, with 12 minutes left and the score at 0-0, Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini in the penalty area. The referee did not see the incident, and VAR was not yet in use, so he was not sent off.
However, FIFA handed down a serious punishment after the World Cup: a nine-match ban and a four-month suspension from all soccer activities. This ban delayed his debut for Barcelona following his transfer from Liverpool.