- Sporting broke record with €22.5m signing of Suarez
- Arrived as Gyokeres’ replacement
- Scored four goals vs Venezuela in World Cup qualifier
Suarez delivered one of the most memorable international performances of recent years, scoring four goals in just 25 minutes during Colombia‘s 6-3 World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela. It was his first ever start for the Cafeteros, and he made it unforgettable, becoming only the fifth player in South American qualifying history to achieve such a feat. Suarez, who joined Sporting this summer as Viktor Gyokeres’ replacement, is quickly proving why the club broke their transfer record to secure his signature.
The Lions’ gamble on Suarez is already paying off. After selling Gyokeres to Arsenal for over €70 million (£59m/$76m), the Portuguese giants reinvested €22.5m (£19m/$25m) to bring the Colombian in from Almeria, where he rediscovered his form following a disappointing stint at Marseille. His international heroics add to a strong start in Lisbon with two goals and two assists in his first five matches suggesting Sporting may have unearthed another attacking star who could dominate both domestically and in Europe.
Speaking after his four-goal haul, the Colombian striker said: “I’m very happy to have had this opportunity, for our team’s victory and very happy individually. It’s a dream, I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. It presented itself and I knew how to seize it. It’s a great pride to make history with four goals, but that takes second place, because we have to contribute our part.”
Suarez will return to Portugal riding a wave of confidence as Sporting prepare to kick off their Champions League campaign next week. The Colombian forward will be tasked with leading the line in both European and domestic competition. If he maintains this blistering form, he could quickly follow in Gyokeres’ footsteps as Sporting’s next superstar forward.
