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🇸🇪 Sweden /Sports

Why does Gyökeres do it like this?

From Svenska Dagbladet · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • The article discusses Viktor Gyökeres's famous goal celebration, where he crosses his hands over his face.
  • It notes that goal celebrations have become a significant part of football's entertainment and players' branding.
  • The piece recalls Roger Milla's iconic dance celebration during the 1990 World Cup as a classic example.

As Sweden prepares to face Tunisia, many fans hope to see Viktor Gyökeres perform his signature goal celebration: crossing his hands in front of his face. In an era where football has increasingly become show business and players are cultivated as brand-name stars, the way a player celebrates a goal has evolved into a crucial element of the game's spectacle.

When Sweden faces Tunisia tonight, many of us hope to see Viktor Gyökeres cross his hands in front of his face in his famous goal celebration.

— Björn LundbergIntroducing the topic of player celebrations and referencing Viktor Gyökeres.

This focus on celebration is not new. The article harks back to the 1990 World Cup in Italy, specifically the match between Cameroon and Romania. Roger Milla, then 38 and having ostensibly retired from international play, was persuaded to return for one last tournament. After a quiet start against Argentina, Milla came on as a substitute against Romania.

As football has become show business and players brand-building stars, the goal celebration has become an increasingly essential ingredient.

— Björn LundbergExplaining the significance of goal celebrations in modern football.

With 15 minutes left in the match, Milla scored, but it was his subsequent celebration that etched itself into football history. He ran to the sideline and began a vibrant dance in front of the corner flag, his hips swaying energetically. This moment birthed one of football's most classic goal celebrations, demonstrating how such displays can captivate audiences beyond the goal itself.

Roger Milla ran to the sideline and began to dance in front of the corner flag with strongly swinging hips. One of football's most classic goal celebrations was born.

— Björn LundbergDescribing Roger Milla's iconic celebration in 1990.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.