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When Viktor Gyökeres left for Arsenal in a blockbuster €75 million deal last summer, the Alvalade faithful were understandably anxious. Replacing a man who bagged 54 goals in a single season seemed like an impossible task. Enter Luis Javier Suárez.
As of Friday, January 23, 2026, the Colombian striker isn’t just "filling the gap"—he’s arguably exceeding expectations. Following his heroic brace in Tuesday's 2–1 Champions League win over PSG, the 28-year-old has officially silenced any lingering doubts about Sporting’s post-Gyökeres era.
The "Giant Slayer" Performance
The defining moment of Suárez's season came just three days ago. On Tuesday, January 20, he single-handedly dismantled the reigning European champions, Paris Saint-Germain.
74’: Clinical finish after a deflected Geny Catamo shot.
90’: A dramatic headed winner to seal a 2–1 victory and catapult Sporting into the Champions League Top 8.
The Aftermath: PSG boss Luis Enrique was left fuming, calling the result "unfair" after his side dominated possession, only to be undone by the "suckerpunch" efficiency of Sporting's new #97.
Why it Works: The "Lion" Connection
Suárez, who famously has a lion tattooed on his left arm, has described his move to the Leões as "destiny." Unlike the traditional "target man" role, Suárez’s chemistry with Pedro Gonçalves and Francisco Trincão has turned Sporting into a more fluid attacking unit.
Pedro Gonçalves on his new teammate: "It took a little while to adapt to Viktor because he was so unique, but with Luis, it’s been easy from day one. The game is flowing, he works for the team, and most importantly, he doesn't miss."
The Verdict: While Arsenal fans debate if Gyökeres was worth the €75m (as he struggles for consistency in London), Sporting fans are celebrating a masterclass in scouting. For a fraction of the price (€22m), they’ve found a striker who has kept the goals flowing and the trophies in sight.