5 things you didn't know about Viktor Gyökeres

With his signature 'Bane' move, remarkable football talent, and, to be honest, incredibly good looks, Viktor Gyökeres has become somewhat of a household name in Sweden. As our cover star for Issue 24, Gyökeres opens up and gets a little more personal in conversation with Mathias Rosenzweig. However, there are still a few things many may be in the dark about when it comes to this footballing legend. Below, discover some of the things you may not have known about Gyökeres.

For many, playing football professionally is a dream often left behind in childhood. Such was, clearly, not he case for Gyökeres, especially with his father at the helm of his career. Stefan Gyökeres - a non-professional player-turned-coach – was at the forefront of his son's professional development. Even if at the age of 10 or 11 "it was more of dream" to Gyökeres, his father made sure it could be reality, coaching him towards his goals.

With a Portuguese girlfriend and a house tucked neatly away in Charneca da Caparica, an area near Lisbon, it seems natural that Gyökeres would take the time to sit down and learn a little Portuguese. The footballer, however, went one step further than a daily Duolingo lesson and a handbook of useful phrases; he mastered the language within a year. Pretty impressive.

"I set my alarm for 10-15 minutes before I leave,” says Gyökeres. The footballer states he gets up, chugs some water, dresses and heads to work, needing his morning routine to be as fuss-free as possible. There is one other step, however, that is non-negotiable. As with many of us, the ginger shot trend did not miss Gyökeres. In fact, this is the first thing he does after waking up.

Related: Viktor Gyökeres shares his daily work-out routine

Though neither of them has officially confirmed the relationship, Aguiar has been spotted at Gyökeres' matches on numerous occasions. Best known for her Telenovela appearances, the actress may well have been the draw to Portugal for the football player, along with his place on the Sporting Clube de Portugal team. With an active presence on social media, she often collaborates with beauty brands such as Carolina Herrera and Kerestas, advertising their products with her extreme beauty.

Gyökeres' football career has spanned not only a decade but also several countries. The Swede began his career in his native country, playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus as a youth and later for IF Brommapojkarna in Bromma, where he made the senior team. After two years, he transferred to the UK to play for Brighton & Hove Albion. During this time, Gyökeres was also loaned to three other clubs: St. Pauli in Germany, Swansea City in Wales, and Coventry City, the latter of which he joined in 2021. In 2023, he moved to Portugal to play for Sporting CP in Lisbon. It is now rumoured that he will jump back across the English Channel, transferring to either Manchester United or Arsenal.