Last Tuesday, the 5th, the fourth round of the Champions League group stage brought surprising results. However, Sporting’s impressive victory over Manchester City, with a score of 4-1, undoubtedly stole the show. This remarkable result came after another brilliant performance from Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish killer who has been racking up goals in Portugal.
Scoring once in the first half and scoring two more in the final stage, both from the penalty spot, Gyökeres secured his first hat-trick in the Champions League. In a Nordic clash against Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, the Swede came out on top, impressing the football world. Since last season, he has been accumulating surprising numbers at Sporting.
Viktor Gyökeres, 26, was born in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and had a relatively late rise to the international football scene. He was revealed by IF Brommapojkarna, quickly gaining an opportunity in English football. In 2018, the striker was signed by Brighton. However, due to limited opportunities, he was loaned out to several clubs.
After spells at St. Pauli and Swansea, the young striker joined Coventry City, a modest club in the English second division. With impressive performances, the club decided to sign him permanently in 2021. Over two seasons with the English team, Gyökeres participated in 97 matches, scoring 40 goals and providing 17 assists. This caught the attention of Sporting, coached by Rúben Amorim.
In his first season in Portuguese football, the Swede immediately made his mark, becoming an indispensable part of Sporting’s victorious campaign in the national championship. In 50 matches, the striker found the net 43 times and provided 15 assists. Following his exceptional performances, there was speculation about a possible transfer for the number 9, but he remained in Lisbon, continuing to shine.
In the current season, marking his debut in the Champions League, Viktor Gyökeres has already taken to the field 17 times for Sporting, with an impressive total of 23 goals scored. His ability and variety when scoring stand out, with goals from open play, headers, penalties and even free kicks. At 26 years old, the striker is going through an incredible phase and is expected to be one of the most coveted names in the next transfer windows.
