Norwegian footballers have made and continue to make a significant impact in the Premier League as well as other tournaments. A plethora of Norwegian football stars like Haaland have dazzled fans with their exceptional talents. Of course, apart from the striker currently playing for Man City, Norwegian football has produced many other legendary players. Whether few or many, they all bring satisfaction to the fans. Let's explore the "10 the best Norway soccer players" with Wintips admin right away.
Top 10 best Norway soccer players all of time
1. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, aged 50, has been unemployed since he was sacked by Manchester United in the middle of the 2021/22 season. The Norwegian manager spent three years at Old Trafford following the departure of Jose Mourinho. During his tenure, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led Man Utd to the Europa League final and finished second in the Premier League.
Solskjaer faced skepticism from pundits and rival fans, who believed he was appointed as Man United's manager because of his legendary status as a player at Old Trafford. On December 25th, the Mirror (UK) reported that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, since being sacked by Manchester United in November 2021, is preparing to return to a managerial role with a club in Turkey.
2. Ronny Johnsen - Best Norway soccer players
Ronnay Johnsen, the Norwegian defender, joined Manchester United in the summer of 1996 along with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He quickly became an integral part of the team in the early years under manager Alex Ferguson. Johnsen adapted quickly to the environment at Old Trafford and became one of the key players in United's defense. He was known for his consistent performances, intelligent play, and patience in building a solid defensive line.
After leaving Manchester United in 2002, Johnsen continued his career at Aston Villa and later Newcastle United. Although he could not replicate the same level of success as at Old Trafford, he remained an important part of the teams he played for. Johnsen eventually retired in 2008, ending a successful career that left a mark in the history of Manchester United and Norwegian football.
3. Alf-Inge Haaland - Best Norway soccer players
Alf-Inge Haaland's illustrious playing career was tragically cut short due to a horrific tackle by Roy Keane during the Manchester derby in 2001. The name Alf-Inge Haaland may still resonate with some football fans as he was the victim of a horrendous injury during a Manchester derby.
The incident stemmed from a match in the 1997/1998 season when Alf-Inge Haaland was playing for Leeds United and had a collision with Roy Keane inside the penalty area. Keane suffered a torn cruciate ligament and lay writhing in pain on the ground, while Haaland believed Keane was feigning injury and mocked the former Manchester United captain.
4. Erling Haaland
As the era of Messi and Ronaldo is nearing its end, Erling Haaland is one of the most anticipated names to succeed this duo. At the age of 23, Haaland has shown immense potential by scoring 52 goals for Man City last season and pocketing the Silver Ball award.
From a young age, Haaland was involved in sports training. His father wanted him to try out different sports before making the most suitable choice. Haaland experimented with javelin throwing, athletics, and even skiing. However, ultimately, he chose to follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional footballer.
5. Martin Ødegaard - Best Norway soccer players
Martin Odegaard is an attacking midfielder currently playing for Arsenal FC and the Norwegian national team. Born on December 17, 1998, in Drammen, Norway, Odegaard began his football journey at a young age, showcasing exceptional talent among his peers. Odegaard joined his local club, Drammen Strong, at the age of just 4. By the time he turned 8, he had moved to the Stromsgodset academy, a professional football club in Norway.
At the age of 15, Odegaard made his debut for Stromsgodset's first team, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the Norwegian Premier League. He also donned the Norwegian national team jersey at the age of 15, becoming the youngest player to debut for the team.
Despite being only 24 years old, Odegaard has enjoyed a successful career. He has played for prominent clubs across Europe and has impressed with his technical ability and creativity on the field. His decision to join Arsenal represents a significant step in his career trajectory.
6. Brede Hangeland - Best Norway soccer players
Brede Paulsen Hangeland, born on June 20, 1981, is a former Norwegian footballer who played as a central defender. He began his career with Viking, where he won the Norwegian Cup in 2001. In 2006, he moved to Copenhagen and won two Danish Superliga titles with the club.
From 2008 to 2014, he played for Fulham, helping the team reach the UEFA Europa League final in 2010, but was released in 2014 after the club was relegated, subsequently joining Crystal Palace. Hangeland played for the Norway national team from 2002 to 2014. He was captain of the team from 2008 until his resignation, in total he played 91 matches and scored 4 goals.
7. Joshua King
Kim King is one of the rare Norwegian footballers to achieve fame in history, having played for Bournemouth in the AFC Champions League and the Norwegian national team as a forward. His career began at Manchester United in 2008, and he was loaned out to teams such as Hull City, Preston North End, Monchengladbach, and Blackburn Rovers.
King ranks second in the list of Norwegian forwards with the most goals scored in Premier League history, and he is considered one of Norway's most outstanding and greatest players of all time. With his position as a forward at Bournemouth, he consistently performed on the field.
8. John Arne Riise - Best Norway soccer players
Riise, a former footballer, played for Liverpool, Fulham, Monaco, Roma, and the Norwegian national team, primarily as a left winger and left-back. He is highly regarded as one of the best left-backs in Liverpool's Premier League history.
During his time at Liverpool, Riise featured in 7 Premier League seasons before moving to AS Roma at the end of the 2008 - 09 season. Statistics show that he participated in 234 matches and scored 21 goals. In 2011, Riise returned from AS Roma and joined Fulham to take part in their campaign in the second tier competition.
9. Henning Berg - Best Norway soccer players
Before joining Manchester United, Berg was a defender who won the Premier League title for Blackburn Rovers at two different clubs. He scored numerous goals for both teams and set records for appearances.
In 1995, Berg played in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, then won the title with Manchester United in 1999 and 2000. With these achievements, he is certainly regarded as one of the greatest Norwegian players of all time.
10. Erik Thorstvedt
Erik Thorstvedt, a prominent Norwegian footballer, left an indelible mark on the sport both as a player and in his post-retirement endeavors. His career spanned several clubs across Europe, showcasing his talent and versatility as a goalkeeper. Thorstvedt's journey began with Monchengladbach, where he honed his skills and gained valuable experience.
He then moved to IFK Gothenburg, further establishing himself as a reliable shot-stopper. However, it was during his time at Viking that Thorstvedt truly rose to prominence. His commanding presence between the posts earned him widespread acclaim, and he became a fan favorite at the club.
Conclude
Above is a list of outstanding Norwegian players that we compiled from various sources. If you are interested in following Norwegian team matches or football fixtures at European leagues, stay tuned for the latest from us - Asia's leading bookmaker website.
See also: What are the best Swiss football players in history?
