Cristiano Ronaldo reacted to Viktor Gyökeres' transfer from Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal with a clear message: the club will have to adapt in order to remain competitive.

A signing that shakes up the market

The summer of 2025 brought one of the most talked-about moves in the market: Viktor Gyökeres left Sporting Lisbon to sign for Arsenal in a transfer that could reach $84 million dollars with variables. The Swedish striker, a true executioner of Portuguese defenses, posted impressive numbers: 97 goals and 22 assists in 102 games.

His departure left a huge hole in Sporting's attack, and all eyes turned to one of its most iconic players: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano's message

In the midst of preseason training with Al-Nassr following their victory against Rio Ave, Cristiano was asked about Gyökeres' departure and Sporting's future. His response was as direct as it was confident:

“You only miss those who are here. I think Sporting will continue to be competitive.”

The Portuguese player praised the Swede for his two brilliant seasons, but made it clear that life goes on: “He was a special player, but the team will have to adapt.”

Cristiano also praised the signings Sporting has made to fill the gap:

Luis Javier Suárez (from Almería), whom he described as an “excellent striker.”
Conrad Harder, a promising young player who, according to Ronaldo, “needs time, but has quality.”

The captain of the Portuguese national team noted that he saw his former team in the Super Cup against Benfica: “They played well, they didn't win because they couldn't... that's football.”

A new challenge for Gyökeres

Arsenal hopes Gyökeres will make his official debut in the Premier League opener against Manchester United, while Cristiano prepares to play in the Saudi Super Cup that same weekend.
Two different paths, but united by a comment that is already echoing in Lisbon: “They will have to adapt.”