Exclusive Leonino - Rui Borges told Sporting player to step up their game | OneFootball

Rui Borges assured Fotis Ioannidis that he needs to 'step up' to secure a spot in Sporting's starting eleven. As revealed by our Journal in this Exclusive Leonino, the Greek player must prove himself, as the coach is impressed with Luis Suárez.

According to information gathered from a source close to the process, Luis Suárez's strong performances for the green and white emblem and for Colombia - scoring four goals in the victory against Venezuela (6-3) - currently place him as the number one striker in the hierarchy for the lions' coach.

Rui Borges thus has a good dilemma to resolve in the upcoming games. For now, it is the forward signed from Almería who starts in 'pole position,' a scenario that could change depending on the performance of both athletes in games and training at the Academy.

After showing interest and making offers to Panathinaikos for the striker last summer, the lions returned to the charge and the signing was finally completed. The transfer could reach, upon meeting objectives, a total of 25 million euros, an amount in line with what the Greeks were asking for a year ago.

In the last season of 2024/25, while playing for Panathinaikos, Fotis Ioannidis - valued at 15 million euros - had numbers below expectations. In 42 matches played, the forward scored 11 times and made two assists. This season, he has played five games for the Greeks, but without any goal contributions.

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