VIKTOR GYOKERES got wrapped up in a “tasteless soap opera” when leaving Sporting for Arsenal last summer.
But fans of the Portuguese club have learned that the best way to get over a messy break-up is to quickly fall in love again.
The new apple of Sporting’s eye is Luis Suarez – no, not that one – whose £22million move from Almeria in July was the latest chapter in a remarkable journey.
From breaking a leg in the same game that he scored the first hat-trick of his career, to battling depression, the striker has had a rollercoaster ride to get to this point.
Arriving two days after Gyokeres joined Arsenal, the Colombian has stepped up to become Sporting’s main man during a sensational debut season.
Suarez, 28, has scored 33 goals in 42 games – and how he would love to add to that tally tomorrow night when Sporting host the Gunners in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Arsenal are reeling after crashing out of the FA Cup to Southampton on Saturday, with their dreams of a Treble up in smoke.
Mikel Arteta’s side need to respond – and the onus will be on Gyokeres, who scored in the 2-1 loss at Saints, to do so as he returns to Lisbon for the first time since leaving last July.
There was plenty of bad blood when the Swede was sold to Arsenal for £63.5m.
Prominent Sporting fan Tito Arantes Fontes, who used to be president of the supporter group Stromp Group, tore into him with a column on the club’s official website.
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Fontes wrote: “Viktor decided to be an actor in a tasteless soap opera.
“He thus tarnished his departure. He wasted the ‘legend’ status he could have had.”
It is hardly a surprise that Sporting supporters were so sad to see Gyokeres go given he scored 97 goals in 102 games during his two years in Lisbon.
Sporting boss Rui Borges described him as a “monster” and stressed how his side would have to “reinvent ourselves” without Gyokeres.
Suarez has helped that process and the days of the 3-4-3 formation that Ruben Amorim first implemented are gone.
Sporting now play in a 4-2-3-1, with Suarez leading the line and Francisco Trincao behind him as a No10.
Trincao was on the scoresheet as Borges’ side warmed up for Arsenal with a 4-2 win over Santa Clara on Friday night.
Suarez missed that game through suspension, so he will be fresh for tomorrow and ready to show how he is a very different striker to Gyokeres.
The Colombian is known for his ability to link the play and is a tireless presser, too. He is pacy and can finish with both feet.
Those in Portugal argue that Sporting, even without Gyokeres’ goals, are a more balanced and complete team with Suarez leading the line.
His performances have led to speculation that he will be following Gyokeres to the Premier League this summer, with Liverpool and Newcastle said to be tracking him.
Suarez may fancy another crack at English football after his last stint there with Watford.
The Colombian spent three years at Vicarage Road before joining Granada in 2020 for £10m.
Suarez managed just one appearance for Watford, which was a friendly behind closed doors against Scunthorpe two months before he left.
The striker spent the rest of his time out on loan at Spanish clubs Gimnastic, Real Valladolid B and Real Zaragoza.
It was in Spain where Suarez rebuilt his career, although that was not without its tough moments.
In October 2023, the striker scored the first hat-trick of his career as Almeria drew 3-3 with Granada.
In the very same game, though, Suarez broke his leg and did not return until the end of that season.
Suarez told Colombian newspaper El Espectador: “I went through a depression that I gradually recovered from, with work and psychologists.
“I couldn’t even get out of bed. I had an injury, without it I wouldn’t have hit rock bottom. It served to strengthen my mental capacity.
“When I got injured I felt I could have lost everything, but if I hadn’t lived through those difficult moments, I wouldn’t be the player I am today.”
Suarez’s 41 goals in 79 appearances for Almeria led to Sporting snapping him up last summer.
The move felt like fate for the striker because he has a lion tattooed on his arm, which is coincidentally Sporting’s club mascot.
Suarez said: “I identify with this animal because of its personality and character, and the tenacity with which it protects its pack.
“When I received the offer from Sporting, I didn’t hesitate because everything seemed connected.”
Suarez added how he planned to “conquer the world” in Lisbon. With his performances so far, he has certainly conquered the hearts of fans.
