Sporting CP’s record signing Luis Suarez says he is “living a dream” after scoring four goals for Colombia in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela. The €22.5m striker, brought in to replace Viktor Gyokeres, is already making a statement both internationally and in Lisbon.
Luis Suarez has announced himself on the world stage in sensational fashion, scoring four goals in just 25 minutes as Colombia beat Venezuela 6-3 in World Cup qualifying. It was the Sporting CP striker’s first ever start for the national team, and he marked it by joining an elite list — becoming only the fifth player in South American qualifying history to score four in a single match.
The 24-year-old arrived in Lisbon this summer as Viktor Gyokeres’ replacement after the Swede sealed a big-money move to Arsenal. Sporting broke their transfer record to sign Suarez from Almeria for €22.5 million, and the Colombian is already showing why the club made such a bold investment.
Speaking after his unforgettable performance, Suarez 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.
The explosive display comes on the back of a bright start at Sporting, where he has already registered two goals and two assists in his first five matches. The Lions’ decision to reinvest their Gyokeres windfall into Suarez looks to be paying off handsomely, with the Colombian quickly adapting to Ruben Amorim’s system and offering the same mix of strength, mobility, and lethal finishing.
Suarez’s rise has been swift. After a tough spell at Marseille, he rediscovered his confidence at Almeria before Sporting moved to bring him to Portugal. Now, with international and club form aligning, he looks ready to step into Gyokeres’ shoes as the club’s new attacking spearhead.
With the Champions League group stage kicking off next week, Suarez will return to Lisbon brimming with confidence. If he maintains this blistering form, Sporting may once again have a striker capable of lighting up both domestic and European football.
