Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres in telling one-word reaction after winning Ballon d'Or award

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Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres has admitted it's an "amazing" feeling after winning the Gerd Muller Trophy following an outstanding 2024/25 campaign.

Gyokeres, 27, picked up the accolade at the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday after scoring the most goals for club and country last season.

Indeed, the Sweden international netted a remarkable 63 times in 63 appearances for former club Sporting CP and Sweden. Those goals helped Sporting win the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal, and saw him finish as the top scorer in the 2024/25 Nations League.

Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe shared last year's award after scoring 52 each, while Erling Haaland came out on top in 2023 with 56 and Robert Lewandowski was the winner in both 2021 and 2022.

Now, Gyokeres has etched his name into the history books alongside some of the best strikers to have ever played the game. He collected the award on stage from Luis Figo, Ruud Gullit and presenter Kate Scott.

After that, the former Coventry City and Brighton man then provided his reaction to winning the prize.

When asked about the difference in emotion between scoring a goal and winning such award, Gyokeres told CBS Sport: "Yes it's a difficult feeling, scoring is one thing in the moment, it's a feeling that is difficult to describe because it's so great. But this means a lot and feels great of course in a different way, so yeah it's amazing."

Gyokeres was then quizzed about the secret to becoming an elite goalscorer. "I think it's a lot of factors, you have to play in a team that create chances, get chances, feel connected with the team and then it's down to the desire to score," he added. "So, yeah I think that's very important."

Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal

Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal

Earlier this summer, Gyokeres sealed a move to Arsenal and has since scored three goals in six appearances across all competitions. He made his debut in the 1-0 win at Manchester United in mid-August before then netting twice in his second game against Leeds United.

Although Gyokeres struggled during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City, ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher jumped to his defence and claimed the blame for his lacklustre performance doesn't lie with him.

Carragher said on Sky Sports: "It was asked before the show, 'Is Gyokeres the guy to win them the title?' And he's had a little bit of criticism for his performances in the big games away.

"He hasn't had a kick today and he might get criticism again on the back of the game today, but I don't think in those three games he's had a chance. They haven't created a chance for him.

"So I go back to when people keep saying, 'Arsenal's problem is finishing' – but it's not, it's creating. They don't create enough... they haven't created one chance for him."

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023

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