![THE RISE OF THE VIKINGS](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387283000/1691065323/articles/3jYAFrEtM1691144290077/THE-RISE-OF-THE-VIKINGS.jpg)
Two of the Premier League’s finest talents are Norwegian. Last season, the relentless Erling Haaland scored a record 36 goals to fire Manchester City to the title ahead of Arsenal, whose surprise challenge was led by Martin Odegaard, the captain and heartbeat of an emerging force.
Both are global superstars with the media profile to match their outstanding ability. While typically humble and hard-working – attributes often possessed by Scandinavian footballers – few, if any, of their fellow countrymen have achieved such an exalted status on or off the pitch.
Norway’s early Premier League pioneers delivered plenty of industry, professionalism and success, yet it was never accompanied by the same intoxicating sense of glamour. Somehow, Haaland and Odegaard have managed to combine it all. They are consummate team players yet also incredibly gifted individuals. While following in the previous generation’s footsteps, they look set to go further than any of them.
In 1992, the Premier League was formed and the course of English football changed forever. Notions of sport, entertainment and business became more closely entwined than ever before, attracting a global audience of unprecedented size.
Previously, there was just a smattering of foreign players, even at the top level. Horizons were narrower, and attitudes more insular. A parochial approach to recruitment dominated where the familiar triumphed over the exotic. Outside of the other home nations and Ireland, the first real wave of imports came from Scandinavia, and Norway in particular, during the early 1990s.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av World Soccer.
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![Never Say Never Again](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/WWCt0wPfa1708591714421/crp_NEVER-SAY-NEVER-AGAIN.jpg)
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
![The Last Days Of Roma](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/s_DteCcbC1708592279448/crp_THE-LAST-DAYS-OF-ROMA.jpg)
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
![Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/3vr6mT_ZK1708596731833/OPPONENTS-THEN-FRIENDS-BECKENBAUER-AND-CRUYFF.jpg)
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
![THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/ZoeaSY2-I1708596509194/THE-FIVEYEAR-PLAN.jpg)
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
![New-look Ulsan ready to defend title](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/u5SUAqUlL1708596424323/NEWLOOK-ULSAN-READY-TO-DEFEND-TITLE.jpg)
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
![Messi set for MLS spotlight](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/ydGe-FtzH1708593523511/MESSI-SET-FOR-MLS-SPOTLIGHT.jpg)
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
![Champions League knockout rounds begin](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/wnS7mPOcw1708592531407/CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-KNOCKOUT-ROUNDS-BEGIN.jpg)
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
![Hannes Halldorsson](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/24CBeSDda1708592073945/HANNES-HALLDORSSON.jpg)
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
![CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/g4Wi1XxQU1708590532605/CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-202324-KNOCKOUT-ROUND-PREVIEW.jpg)
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
![Ventforet Kofu](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5163/1603859/TDS4HDU1h1708590285526/VENTFORET-KOFU.jpg)
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team