Viktor Gyökeres’s football journey began in the vibrant streets of Stockholm, playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus at the tender age of six. A standout player from the start, Gyökeres even traveled abroad for cups with Brommapojkarna while still a youth player. As he entered high school, he cemented his commitment, officially joining the Brommapojkarna ranks.
Today, at just 26 years old, Gyökeres stands as Europe’s hottest striker, boasting the highest goal count of any male player in 2024. Göran Thel, his former coach from Aspudden, fondly recalls, “He has always played the way he does now — full speed ahead whenever he can. And he has always been able to score from all angles.”
However, Gyökeres’s path to the top hasn’t been a straight line.
In 2017, Gyökeres’s talent exploded at the senior level with Brommapojkarna, netting an impressive 13 goals. He then made the leap to the prestigious Premier League club Brighton, which has a proven track record of fostering football talent.
Unluckily, Gyökeres struggled to establish himself permanently within Brighton’s ranks. His journey took him on loan to FC St. Pauli in the German second division and Swansea City, a club from Wales competing in England’s second division. Despite these challenges, Brighton’s chief executive, Paul Barber, acknowledged the complexities of player recruitment, stating, “Player recruitment is not an exact science.” He went on to praise Gyökeres, saying, “What Viktor has done is fantastic.”
Viktor Gyökeres: A Goal-Scoring Sensation
Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres has emerged as one of football’s most lethal finishers, enjoying a meteoric rise that has seen him dominate both domestic and international competitions.
It’s been a remarkable journey for Gyökeres. After starting his professional career in England’s lower leagues, he exploded onto the scene with Coventry City in the Championship, scoring a remarkable 43 goals. This impressive feat attracted the attention of Portuguese powerhouse Sporting CP, who secured his services in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of around a quarter of a billion kronor.
Gyökeres instantly lived up to the hype, making an instant impact in the Primeira Liga. Now, towards the end of 2024, he’s on the verge of a staggering 62 goals across all competitions.
A Record-Breaking Season
His goal-scoring prowess has seen him top the Portuguese top-scorer charts with remarkable consistency. He also clinched the coveted top-scorer award in the Nations League, further cementing his status as one of the world’s most prolific strikers. A hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League underlines his ability
to perform on the biggest stage.
“- many matches and many goals.”
Gyökeres’ success has not gone unnoticed. His performances have earned him numerous accolades,including a spot in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year and the prestigious Player of the Year award in Portugal.
From Sweden to Europe’s Scoring Top
Swedish striker Gyökeres has taken the European football scene by storm, establishing himself as the continent’s most prolific scorer in the past year.
62 Goals: A Record-Breaking feat
with an astounding 62 goals across all competitions,Gyökeres has surpassed some of the biggest names in the sport.His impressive tally eclipses that of renowned strikers like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Vinicíus Júnior, and Robert Lewandowski.the statistics clearly demonstrate Gyökeres’ dominance in front of goal.
fact.The 62 goals
36 in the Portuguese league.
10 in the national team (nine in the Nations League, one in a training international).
Seven in the portuguese Cup.
Five in Champions League.
Two in Europa League.
Two in the Portuguese League Cup.
Despite reaching such unbelievable heights,Gyökeres remains grounded and hungry for more. He believes there’s still room for improvement in his game:
> “Yes, I think I can do things better. No player is flawless and does everything perfectly, so of course you can polish some parts.”
Gyökeres’ exceptional performance this year puts him in elite company. Only football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have managed to surpass his goal tally in the entire 2000s.
Viktor Gyökeres: A Goal-scoring Sensation
Viktor Gyökeres has etched his name into football history with an amazing goal-scoring feat in 2024. His tally has sparked comparisons to some of the game’s greatest sharpshooters, including Lionel Messi and Gerd Müller.
While Messi’s remarkable 91 goals in 2012 set a seemingly unattainable benchmark, Gyökeres’s performance puts him in elite company.He has also surpassed the achievements of legendary Brazilian strikers like Pelé, Zico, and Romário, who all reached 72 goals in a single season.
Gyökeres’s achievement also invites comparisons within a Swedish context. Although Zlatan Ibrahimović is undoubtedly a Swedish football icon, his best goal tally stands at 50. This mark was achieved partially in 2016, where he played fewer international matches and experienced a goalless European Championship, and partially in 2012, a year which included his memorable four goals against England in the opening match at the new National Arena in Solna.
A Bright Future?
The question now is whether Gyökeres can sustain this extraordinary level of performance. Will he ever again reach such heights? Another question surrounds his future at Sporting CP.
His prolific goal-scoring in Portugal’s top flight has inevitably sparked transfer rumors. Manchester United has emerged as a potential destination following their appointment of Sporting coach Rúben Amorim to replace the departed Erik ten Hag.