Luis Suarez dreams of Champions League glory with Sporting

Luis Suarez spoke about the challenge of playing against Arsenal in the Champions League.

"Being here is the realization of a dream."

The striker is another success story from the Watford recruitment line, but he has required patience to make the grade at the elite level of European football. Suarez struggled for playing time in Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 season despite a debut brace for Marseille against Reims, and he was loaned to Almeria.

Suarez slotted away 27 goals in 41 appearances for the team in the second division of Spanish football, and he earned a €25 million transfer in July 2025 to Sporting as the replacement for Viktor Gyokeres, who is now leading the line for the Gunners. With 24 strikes in 26 Primeira Liga games, Suarez is stepping up to the plate, and he has only one fewer goal than the record-breaking tally of six that Sweden striker did last year in the Champions League (the most for a Sporting player in a season.)

'The primary objective is always team performance'

Suarez would love to break that record, but his focus is first and foremost on trying to turn around the tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday to make more history for the club.

"We have no pressure. It's an opportunity we have, and we will take advantage of it. I never like to set goals or limit myself. I’m enjoying this moment, and I can still give more. The more goals I score, the more I help the team. I believe it will be a beautiful game, where we might have a good opportunity.

“The important thing is for Sporting to play a perfect game to move forward. The primary objective is always team performance.

From barefoot in Colombia to the Champions League

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