Curiosity is something that must be satisfied. So during the national football team's trip to the World Cup base in Dallas last Saturday, "Gabbe" and a few other players were allowed into the cockpit.
"We chatted a bit with the pilots and asked how it's going. They were really nice and open," says the 27-year-old, who will play against Japan at AT&T Stadium in a few weeks.
The giant stadium in Arlington in the southern part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area is usually the home ground of the Dallas Cowboys, a classic and successful NFL club with five Super Bowl titles.
Gudmundsson is very knowledgeable about this. He doesn't have a favorite team, but the club he follows especially closely is the San Francisco 49ers.
"The 49ers own Leeds, so it has become a bit more emotional for them."
Much-needed dose
Gudmundsson's free-flowing wing play is a great asset to both Leeds and the national team. His contribution in the playoff matches against Ukraine and Poland was tangible. It is no wonder that many were concerned when he injured his thigh shortly afterwards and was forced to take a long break.
He was only back in the World Cup warm-up against Greece on Thursday - and feels ready for the World Cup opener against Tunisia on Monday (4:00 a.m.) in Monterrey, Mexico.
"It's been more than five weeks since I played a match. I got a good and much-needed dose. We had a plan to build myself up for the World Cup, and I feel 100 percent physically fit."
"The rhythm wasn't the best, but the most important thing was to get going and feel it again."
The 27-year-old is seen as a bargain at Leeds after a strong first season in the Premier League, and was rewarded by fans with the Player of the Year award.
"The goal was to help the club stay. Everything has felt good. It will be exciting to see what we can do further down the line with the group we have."
Done with shirt change
Do you feel like you've created a relationship with the fans?
"I think so. They have been supportive all season, absolutely fantastic. From the first day I arrived. They have been a big factor in the success we have had," Gudmundsson said, who left Lille in the French league last summer after four years.
Against Japan in the group stage on June 26, he will face clubmate Ao Tanaka. They have already agreed to swap shirts - no matter how things go.
"It's good to have it ready before the match because it can be a bit of a mess," says Gabriel Gudmundsson.
