Viktor Johansson made his competitive debut for Sweden on Thursday evening, in a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan. He’d played against Moldova in a friendly at the end of last year, but this was the real thing and the goalkeeper was thrilled.
After the match, the Swedish media started talking with him about the winding road of his career which has now taken him to a competitive national team start… and – of course – Rotherham United came up in the conversation.
The 25-year-old has always been very open about his love for Rotherham United, and what the club’s fans mean to him. Ahead of moving to Stoke City, he put money behind a local bar so fans could have a goodbye drink on him.
Johansson was asked about his route to where he is now, and is quoted by Aftonbladet as saying: “I have enjoyed every place I have played. My best time was in Rotherham. I enjoyed being in the limelight, I worked hard. Not many people knew who I was.”
Pressed further on what was so special about his time at the English club, the stopper said: “It was tough at times in Rotherham, but an incredibly fun time with fantastic people. It was the same in Leicester. I like family clubs where you can learn the names of everyone in the facility.
“Putting on the national team jersey is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a child. It is important not to stress yourself out. I’ve been doing this my whole life.”
Rotherham United fans will surely wish Viktor Johansson the very best after he achieved another milestone in his career.
