It's easy to forget, but Gyökeres's progress in the national team during the 2024 Nations League contributed greatly to Sweden getting a lifeline to the World Cup playoffs this summer despite the fiasco in the qualifiers.
He scored nine goals in six matches as the national team won the group stage of the Nations League.
Gyökeres is aware of the pressure many are putting on him in the playoff semi-final for the World Cup against Ukraine in Valencia on Thursday.
I don't think about it too much. When you play so many important games, you focus on just trying to do your best. As a striker, you always want to go out and score goals.
Impressive results
His goal tally for the national team is impressive. 15 goals in 30 international matches gives an average of one goal every other match. At the same time, he has now joined the group of experienced players in a national team squad in transition. This means increased responsibility. Something he is happy to take.
"You have to help as much as you can, of course. Both on and off the field. Lots of communication," says Gyökeres.
Due to injury, he missed the qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia in November. The days in Valencia are his first under national team head coach Graham Potter.
He has already noticed that the atmosphere is different than last fall.
It's more positive, but of course it's been a few months since then. We've tried to put it behind us and focus on this match we have here and hopefully another one in Stockholm in a few days.
It's different with Graham and all the other new members of the coaching staff. It's easier to put the games from last fall behind us. Plus, we have a good chance of reaching the World Cup.
You come from a club with a clear structure to a national team that is being built from the ground up. Does it feel uncertain or exciting?
It's exciting that we still have this kind of opportunity to go to the World Cup. I think everyone here is extremely excited.
"Extremely important"
The match is extremely important. I rate it highly.
He has great respect for Ukraine.
It's a tough match. It could be a match where not many chances are created. That's what counts. We'll try to go in and get the momentum we want and create good chances.
When asked how he views a match where ten players cover areas and what happens going forward is up to him to decide, Gyökeres answers:
I can probably solve that if it looks like that.