Viktor Gyökeres has once again proven his immense value to Sporting CP! On Sunday, May 25, at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Oeiras, Sporting claimed their 18th Portuguese Cup title with a thrilling 3-1 extra-time victory over arch-rivals Benfica. Gyökeres played a pivotal role in the club’s dramatic 2025 Taça de Portugal triumph.
The Swedish striker’s contribution was nothing short of heroic. With Benfica leading 1-0 through Orkun Kökçü’s 47th-minute opener, it seemed the trophy was destined for the red side of Lisbon. However, Gyökeres stepped up when it mattered most and converted a stoppage-time penalty in the 90+10 minute to tie the match at 1-1 and force extra time. This paved the way for Sporting’s win in extra time, where Conrad Harder and Francisco Trincão secured the victory and completed the Lions’ first domestic double since 2002.
Gyökeres – Currently Valued at €80 Million
Gyökeres’ exceptional performance has not gone unnoticed in the transfer market. Sporting CP recently announced that they currently value their star striker at €80 million. The Portuguese champions have informed interested clubs, including Arsenal, that this is the minimum fee they will accept for their prolific forward. While Sporting are prepared to cash in on their prized asset, they won’t accept anything less than €80 million – a significant increase from the previously mentioned €65 million. Although this valuation is below his €100 million release clause, it reflects the striker’s incredible impact since his €20.5 million move from Coventry City in the summer of 2023.
Arsenal are reportedly gearing up for a major summer spending spree and want a new number 9, with Gyökeres firmly on their wishlist along with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is considered out of reach for the Gunners. Juventus are also reportedly considering bidding for the Swedish sensation as cover for next season.
The reason for such intense interest is clear: Gyökeres has been absolutely sensational at Sporting. He has scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 appearances across all competitions. The 26-year-old has helped Sporting to league titles in each of his seasons with them and has now added the Portuguese Cup to his trophy collection. In the 2024-25 season alone, he scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists in 52 matches under manager Rui Borges.
Interesting Facts
1. Viktor Gyökeres started playing football at the age of five in Stockholm.
Viktor Einar Gyökeres was born on June 4, 1998, in Stockholm, Sweden, where he began his football journey at the tender age of five with local club IFK Aspudden-Tellus. His early passion for the game was evident from childhood, as he spent countless hours honing his skills in the Swedish capital’s youth football system.
2. He has dual citizenship from Hungary and Sweden through his grandfather.
Gyökeres is of Hungarian descent through his paternal grandfather, who emigrated to Sweden generations ago. This heritage has given him dual citizenship from both Hungary and Sweden, although he chose to represent Sweden at the international level.
3. His father Stefan Gyökeres was also a professional footballer.
The striker’s football genes come from his father, Stefan Gyökeres, who played professional football for IFK Östersund and Stugun during the 1980s and 1990s. This family connection to the sport undoubtedly influenced Viktor’s early development and understanding of the game.
4. Brighton & Hove Albion signed him when he was just 19 years old.
In September 2017, at just 19 years old, Gyökeres signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. The deal was structured to go through at the conclusion of the Superettan season, during which he had already scored 10 league goals. He finished that campaign with 13 goals in 29 league appearances, which included a memorable hat-trick on the final day that helped Brommapojkarna secure promotion to the Allsvenskan as league champions.
5. He gained experience on loan at St. Pauli and Swansea City before finding success.
Before finding his home at Sporting CP, Gyökeres gained valuable experience across different European leagues. His loan period took him to Germany’s St. Pauli in the second tier, where he adapted to the physical demands of German football, and later to Swansea City in the English Championship. During this time, he demonstrated his versatility and ability to adapt to different playing styles and cultures.
6. His breakthrough came at Coventry City after joining permanently in 2021.
Gyökeres’ permanent move to Coventry City in July 2021 proved to be the turning point in his career. During his time with the Sky Blues, he scored 17 goals in 45 league appearances in his first full season (2021-22). He established himself as a consistent goalscorer in one of England’s most competitive divisions.
7. He won Championship Player of the Month twice in the 2022-23 season.
His consistency at Coventry was so remarkable that he earned the Championship Player of the Month award twice during the 2022-23 season. He earned it first in November 2022, after scoring four goals in four games and leading Coventry to four straight wins. Then, he earned it again in March 2023, where three goals and three assists demonstrated his all-around contribution to the team’s success.
8. Sporting CP paid a club-record €20 million transfer fee for him.
Sporting CP’s €20 million investment in Gyökeres (plus €4 million in bonuses) represented a club-record transfer fee. This demonstrated their absolute faith in his abilities, which totally paid off! The deal also included a €100 million release clause and ensured that Coventry would receive 10-15% of any future transfer. It was clear that everyone saw long-term value in the Swedish striker.
9. He scored twice on his Sporting CP debut against Vizela.
Gyökeres announced his arrival in Portuguese football in spectacular fashion when he scored twice in his debut in a 3-2 league victory at home to Vizela on August 12, 2023. This immediate impact set the tone for what would become one of the most successful individual campaigns in recent Primeira Liga history.
10. He scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League
The striker’s European debut came in the UEFA Europa League against Sturm Graz on September 21, 2023, where he scored in a 2-1 victory. He later became only the second Swedish player (after Zlatan Ibrahimović) and the first Sporting player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League era, achieving this feat in a stunning 4-1 victory over Manchester City on November 5, 2024.
11. He scored against every Primeira Liga team in a single season!
Gyökeres has rewritten several records during his time at Sporting. He became the first player to score against every Primeira Liga team he faced in a single season, achieved the rare feat of scoring four goals in a single match twice in one season (against Farense), and became the second-highest all-time foreign goalscorer in Sporting’s history by surpassing Bas Dost’s 93 goals. Need we say more!
12. He was a joint-top scorer at the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
At the international level, Gyökeres has been equally impressive. He was the joint-top scorer at the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and shared the Golden Boot with three goals. For the senior national team, he has become a key player and notably scored four goals in a 6-0 Nations League victory over Azerbaijan in November 2024, completing his first international hat-trick in the process.
13. His signature goal celebration move remains a mystery that he refuses to explain.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Gyökeres’ persona is his signature goal celebration move where he crosses both hands over his mouth. While many have speculated about its meaning (with guesses ranging from Hannibal Lecter to Batman to Bane), the striker never fully confirmed the inspiration. Gyökeres did post a goal compilation video in 2024 on Instagram with the caption “Nobody cared until I put on the mask,” a famous quote from Bane, the villain from The Dark Knight Rises. This may finally be the answer that fans were hoping for, but time will tell.
14. He won the Swedish Golden Ball as the best Swedish footballer in 2024.
Gyökeres’ exceptional performances have earned him numerous individual honors. He has won the Bola de Prata (Golden Ball) twice as the Primeira Liga’s top scorer, been named Primeira Liga Player of the Year, and received the Swedish Golden Ball (Guldbollen) as the best Swedish footballer in 2024. His consistency is further demonstrated by winning the Primeira Liga Player of the Month award for five consecutive months between September and January during his first season.
15. He plays as the central striker in Sporting’s 3-4-3 formation.
What sets Gyökeres apart is his complete skill set as a modern striker. Standing tall with excellent physicality, he combines pace, stamina, and aerial ability with intelligent movement and link-up play. In Sporting’s 3-4-3 formation, he operates as the central striker at the highest point of attack. He uses his physical presence to challenge defenders while creating space for teammates. His pressing ability helps disrupt opposition build-up play, while his versatility allows him to drift wide or into half-spaces to stretch defenses.
The Future for Gyökeres
As Gyökeres continues to break records and capture hearts at Sporting CP, his future remains one of football’s most intriguing storylines. With reported interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs and a gentleman’s agreement allowing him to leave in summer 2025, the Swedish sensation stands at a crossroads that could define the next chapter of his remarkable career.
Whether he remains in Lisbon to continue building his legend at Sporting or moves to one of Europe’s elite clubs, Viktor Gyökeres has already established himself as one of the most complete and effective strikers of his generation. His journey from Stockholm’s youth pitches to Portuguese football’s pinnacle serves as an inspiration to young players everywhere. It proves that talent, dedication, and the right opportunities can create something truly special.
As he continues to develop his career and potentially moves on to new challenges, football fans worldwide will be watching with anticipation to see what new chapters this remarkable player will write in the beautiful game’s ongoing story.
