They have known each other since middle school, Viktor Gyökeres and Isac Lidberg, and have already played championships together in the U19 national team.
When Hugo Bolin was forced to withdraw from the national football team's Nations League gathering due to injury, Lidberg was called in, and thus the childhood friends are together in the A-team for the first time.
It's fun that Isac is here, of course, my wish came true, says Gyökeres.
"Thought I was joking"
When Lidberg received the news that he was selected, he sent a message to his friend - but the question is whether Gyökeres initially understood that it was true.
At first, I think he thought I was joking, because I just wrote something quick. But I hope he was happy.
Lidberg tells that he is inspired by seeing his friend's progress on the pitch - and it's easy to understand.
Gyökeres has scored 23 goals in 18 matches for Sporting Lisbon this season - to put it into perspective, he can be compared to stars like Robert Lewandowski (19 goals in 17 matches), Harry Kane (17/16) and Erling Braut Haaland (15/16).
Not to mention his five goals and five assists in five Nations League matches.
You get inspired. I've watched many of Viktor's matches and tried to learn what he does well, says Lidberg.
Winding road
It's a winding road that has taken Lidberg to the national team. In the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he made seven appearances for Hammarby in the Allsvenskan, and in Sweden, he has also played for clubs like Åtvidaberg, Brommapojkarna, and Gefle.
In 2021, he went to Go Ahead Eagles and has also played in the Dutch top league for Utrecht. Before this season, he joined Darmstadt.
I've fought on. I went from Gävle to Holland, and from there it's rolled on, he notes.
"Incredibly fun"
So far this season, he has scored nine goals in ten league matches for Darmstadt in the German second division - a performance that has made the childhood friends' dream of being selected for the national team together now come true.
It's incredibly fun to see him (Gyökeres) and then also others, Victor Johansson, who I also went to school with, says Lidberg.
Sweden secured the group win in the Nations League C-division against Slovakia on Saturday (2-1). On Tuesday, the national team will face Azerbaijan in the last match of the year,
