Viktor Gyokeres makes Ballon d'Or award feelings clear as Arsenal star posts 28-word message

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has posted a 28-word message on social media after winning the Gerd Müller Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The 27-year-old made the move to north London from Sporting CP in the summer, with Andrea Berta agreeing to pay a £55million (€63million) guaranteed fee, plus £8.5million (€10million) in add-ons. The Gunners signed the Swede after he scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last term.

That impressive goalscoring record meant he was awarded the Gerd Muller Trophy for men’s top scorer in club and international football at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday evening. Previously known as Striker of the Year or Best Striker Award, former winners include Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.

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Gyokeres posted pictures of himself dressed in a black tuxedo holding the award on his Instagram on Tuesday evening. Alongside the post, the striker wrote: "Behind every goal is a team, family and a dream. Honoured to win the Gerd Müller Trophy. This award belongs to all of us. Thanks for the support."

Elsewhere on the night, Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati took top honours at the Ballon d’Or awards after being crowned the best men’s and women’s players. Arsenal won the women’s club of the year trophy as reward for their Champions League success, which was secured after Barcelona were dispatched 1-0 in the final.

Gyokeres has started the 2025/26 season in decent form for his new club so far, with the Swedish striker scoring three goals in six games in all competitions. Mikel Arteta was asked about his summer signing after he failed to score against Manchester City at the weekend.

"Well there were a lot of very good balls in the box, especially I remember three of them that he was very, very close to doing against City," Arteta said. "To have very big open chances is extremely difficult, but he's certainly trying his best and trying to do that and we have to provide more for him, that's it.

"There were a lot of situations where the chances were there and then the final pass was missing today. In many moments it was very, very open."