Top 10 Greatest Norwegian Players Ever

Even though Norway didn't dominate the FIFA nor the Euro 2024, they have really done well in producing some awesome talents in Premier League history. 
Norway has not reached a majority competition since the Euros competition held in 2000, where they were knocked out of the group stage.

10. Ronny Johnsen
International career: 1991-2007

He joined Manchester United in 1996 together with former player and coach Ole Gunner Solskjaer. 
He won the 1999 Champions League, FA Cup, and four Premier League trophies under the supervision of Sir Alex Ferguson in the late 1990s. He also took part in the triple win in 1999.

9. Alf-Inge Haaland
International Career: 1994-2001

People mostly know more about his son than the man himself. Alf-Inge Haaland is recognized as one of the best Norwegian players of all time.
He was top class until a tragic tackle by Roy Keane in the 2001 Manchester derby.
Haaland would earn 34 caps for Norway with his debut against Costa Rica. The defensive midfielder has no goals for his country, but he is still well recognized as a great player with his performances in Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City.
 
Alf-Inge Haaland's Career Statistics
Club Appearances: 219
Club Goals: 18
Norway Caps: 34
Norway Goals: 0
 

8. Brede Hangeland
International Career: 2002-2014

He performed well playing as a defender for Crystal Palace and Fulham. With his hard work and dedication, he was able to carry the Fulham team to the 2010 Europa League Final, where they lost to Atletico Madrid. Hangeland International career kick-started in 2002, earning 91 caps and scoring four times for his country before retiring in 2014.

7. Tore Andre Flo
International Career: 1995-2004

This Chelsea legend scored more than 10 goals in the first three seasons with the Blues. In his time at Chelsea, he was able to win the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. He has scored 174 club goals and 23 goals for his national team.

6. Morten Gamst Pedersen
International Career: 2004-2014

He is popular for his goals and flair. He ended up joining Blackburn Rovers in 2004. He had a large impact on the club to the extent that the Rovers squad finished sixth in 2005/06 and seventh in the 2007/08 Premier League table. He has scored 101 club goals in his career.
Pedersen had a great start to his international career, scoring a brace against Northern Ireland in 2004. He later scored 17 goals in 83 matches.
 

5. Martin Odegaard
International Career: 2014-Present

He had his senior career debut in 2014 at the early age of 15, playing for Stromsgodset, later moving on to play for Real Madrid. He finally joined Arsenal in 2021.
 
He captained Arsenal in the 2022/23 season. With his effort, he helped his team secure second place back-to-back in the English Premier League. He was also made the captain of his national team in 2021. 
 

4. John Arne Riise
International Career: 2000-2013

He is popular for his free kicks and memes, but did you know that he is one of Norway's best ever left backs, earning 110 appearances for his club and 16 international goals?
 
While playing for Liverpool, he would score long-range goals from impossible distances. He has scored 55 club goals.
 

3. Henning Berg
International Career: 1992-2004

He became the first player to win the Premier League with two different clubs. He lifted the EPL trophy in 1995 with Blackburn Rovers and in 1997 with Manchester United. 
 
He is recognized as one of the greatest Scandinavian defenders of all time, having 100 caps for his country with 11 club goals and 486 appearances.
 

2. Ole Gunner Solskjaer 
International Career: 1995-2007

Also known by many as the Super Sub, Ole Gunner Solskjaer started his career in Clausenengen (CFK) at 17 years old in 1990 before moving to Molde in 1995 and then Man Utd in July 1996. He has scored 160 club goals for Manchester United and 23 for Norway.
 
While playing for Manchester United, he lifted six trophies and scored the winning goal against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League.

 
1. Erling Haaland
International Career: 2019-Present

Erling Haaland is the greatest player in Norwegian footballing history, which is incredible considering what he has accomplished at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City by the age of 24. Joining Manchester City in the 2022–23 season, Haaland would hit the ground running, scoring 36 goals in 35 Premier League appearances in his debut year, followed by 31 goals in 27 appearances in the 2023–24 season. Those goals have helped Pep Guardiola's side win the treble in 2022-23 and a fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2023-24.
 
For his country, Haaland is already the second highest scorer in history, two off of Jorgan Juve's 33 goals for Norway, having played just 33 times. He made headlines by scoring an incredible nine goals in a single match at the U19 World Cup. If anyone is going to spearhead Norway back to major tournaments in the future, then Haaland will be the man to do it.