Luis Suárez accused of mocking Sporting by ex-player: “More respect” | OneFootball

Afonso Martins delivered harsh criticism of Luis Suárez and the way Sporting handled the striker’s situation during the last transfer window. The former Sporting player believes that, under different circumstances, the Colombian would indeed have stopped being an option.

In an interview with Rádio Renascença’s program ‘Bola Branca’, the former midfielder was blunt. “If it were another coach and another president, nowadays, Suárez would no longer play for Sporting. It’s as simple as that, because mocking the fans, mocking the Sporting shirt, mocking the club — no.”

Afonso Martins feels that the 'number 97' showed a lack of respect for the green-and-white badge. “Mocking it by saying he was there, that he wasn’t interested in the game or in anything. It was Sporting that put him up there. When he arrived, he was nothing, so he has to show a little more respect for the club.”

The former Lions player even believes the issue could resurface in the next transfer window. “He can’t leave Sporting now either, can he? Because the transfer window is already closed, but in January, he’ll surely do the same thing again,” he said.

Rodrigo Zalazar also came in for criticism from Afonso Martins. Despite the great goal against Galatasaray, the former midfielder believes the signing still has to justify the investment made by the Lions more clearly: “For 30 million euros, he has to give a little more, but I think he’ll manage it. He lacks grit, as Rui Borges says. That hunger, going after the ball, making his teammates play... Because he has that ability too, but he’s still lacking a lot of grit.”

Afonso Martins also reinforced the idea that representing Sporting comes with a different level of demand. “Because that’s what he said, playing in Braga’s shirt is one thing, wearing Sporting’s shirt is another, isn’t it? There is a lot of pressure that comes with the Sporting shirt.”

That’s something the coach himself has to talk to him about, that in training he has to ‘teach’ him that grit, that love for the shirt and all that, like in my day.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.