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Gunnar NordalFootball player
Date of Birth: 19.10.1921
Country: ![]() |
Content:
Biography of Gunnar Nordahl
Early Life and CareerGunnar Nordahl was a Swedish footballer born in a large family in a small town in northern Sweden. He was the third of five Nordahl brothers, all of whom became footballers. Gunnar initially worked as a firefighter before pursuing a professional football career. He quickly gained attention for his powerful physique, unusual for a football player at the time, standing at 180 centimeters tall and weighing 95 kilograms.
Club Career
Nordahl began his club career in Sweden, playing for "Degersfors" and "Norsheping" before moving to Italy. It was at "Milan" where Nordahl's achievements became legendary. He quickly became a super striker and formed a formidable attacking trio with his teammates Gren and Lidholm. Nordahl's goal-scoring abilities were remarkable, and he set a national record by scoring seven goals in a single match in 1945. He helped "Norsheping" win the Swedish championship and led the team to four consecutive titles.
In 1949, Nordahl transferred to "Milan" where he became a cult figure for the club. He scored 16 goals in his first half-season with the team and quickly became a fan favorite. Nordahl's presence in the team did not diminish the club's desire to strengthen their attacking line, and they subsequently signed his teammates Gren and Lidholm as well as their coach, Lajos Czeizler.
Italian Career
Nordahl's time at "Milan" was marked by his incredible goal-scoring ability. He won the Serie A Golden Boot five times and scored a total of 210 goals in 257 matches, making him the all-time leading scorer for the club. He played alongside great players such as Gren and Lidholm, and the trio became an example for other teams to emulate.
In 1951, Nordahl's contributions helped "Milan" win their first Serie A title in 43 years. His goal-scoring records, with 35 and 34 goals in two seasons respectively, remain the highest in the history of Italian football. Nordahl's physical prowess allowed him to overpower defenders and score goals even when they attempted to rough him up. He never responded to their aggression and instead focused on playing football.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving "Milan" in 1956, Nordahl spent two seasons with "Roma" before retiring from professional football. He later tried his hand at coaching, but with limited success. Nordahl's financial impracticality plagued him even after retirement, and he often relied on the help of old friends to make ends meet.
Nordahl passed away on September 15, 1995, from a heart attack while staying at a hotel in Alghero, Sicily. His red and black striped swimsuit, in which he was found dead in the hotel pool, became a symbol of his loyalty to "Milan". Nordahl's contributions to the sport of football and his remarkable goal-scoring ability have ensured that his legend lives on.