Sporting Lisbon's coach urges fans not to boo Victor Jörgensen in the UEFA Champions League, despite his less-than-ideal exit to join Arsenal.
On 7 Apr 2026 GMT+7, Rui Borges, head coach of Sporting Lisbon, appealed to fans not to boo Victor Jörgensen, Arsenal's striker, who is set to return to Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday night for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Borges said, “He is an outstanding player, and I am confident the fans will welcome him warmly because he made history with the club and deserves that recognition.”
“I always try to maintain balance and understand all perspectives. He is ambitious, and after discussions with management, they reached a conclusion. Ultimately, everything that happened was fair to both sides. Sporting and the player both got what they wanted. He wanted to advance his career, and we respect that.”
“Players will transfer, but the club remains. Sporting will continue striving for victories. I wish him [Jörgensen] good luck, and I am sure he will be well received here because we hold him in high regard.”
Jörgensen left a legendary legacy at Sporting, scoring 97 goals in 102 matches since joining from Coventry City in 2023. He won two Portuguese league titles and the Portuguese Cup before Arsenal paid about £64 million to sign him last summer.
Although his start at the Emirates Stadium was not smooth, the Swedish striker has begun regaining form, scoring 17 goals for Arsenal and recently netting in the FA Cup match that ended in a loss to Southampton.
However, fan sentiment remains divided. A Portuguese media poll showed 51% ready to applaud his return, 22% planning to boo, and 28% stating they are indifferent.