Nils Liedholm

Sweden · Central midfielder (Attacking midfielder, Defensive midfielder) · Gen 1 · Pelé & Maradona · Peak 1950-1960

Legendary passing master said to have gone two years without a misplaced pass

Nicknames Il Barone

81.4OVR#87 of 1,235 outfield players

Position-weighted average of all outfield and career attributes, as on the main table.

“The best goal ever scored against Brazil.”
— Pelé, Brazil legend, on Liedholm's 1958 World Cup final goal · source

Category averages

  • Speed65.0
  • Shooting74.8
  • Passing86.3
  • Ball Control84.7
  • Movement74.8
  • Football IQ89.5
  • Defending Skill69.3
  • Physical76.0
  • Mental88.2
  • Career87.6

Top 10 attributes

  1. Longevity96
  2. Short Passing94
  3. Consistency94
  4. Long Passing92
  5. First Touch92
  6. Big-Game Temperament92
  7. Leadership92
  8. Loyalty92
  9. Vision90
  10. Possession90

All 64 attributes

Speed 65.0

  • Top Speed69
  • Acceleration69
  • Dribbling Speed65
  • Top Speed with Ball66
  • Knock-on & Run53
  • Change of Pace68

Shooting 74.8

  • Finishing76
  • Shot Power80
  • Long Shots84
  • Volleys70
  • Curve80
  • Penalties80
  • Heading72
  • Direct Free Kicks78
  • Shooting Creativity68
  • Acrobatics60

Passing 86.3

  • Short Passing94
  • Long Passing92
  • Through Balls88
  • Crossing72
  • Link-up Play86
  • Vision90
  • Set-Piece Delivery82

Ball Control 84.7

  • Dribbling80
  • Possession90
  • First Touch92
  • Skills & Tricks74
  • Weak Foot82
  • Press Resistance90

Movement 74.8

  • Off-the-Ball Movement78
  • Runs in Behind66
  • Attacking Positioning74
  • Anticipation86
  • Recovery Runs70

Football IQ 89.5

  • Decision Making90
  • Spatial Awareness90
  • Game Management90
  • Tactical Creativity88

Defending Skill 69.3

  • Defensive Positioning80
  • Marking66
  • Interceptions76
  • Standing Tackle70
  • Sliding Tackle62
  • Offside Trap62

Physical 76.0

  • Strength76
  • Stamina83
  • Agility75
  • Balance84
  • Recovery80
  • Reactions76
  • Hold-up Play72
  • Aerial Duels72
  • Aggression66

Mental 88.2

  • Big-Game Temperament92
  • Leadership92
  • Selflessness86
  • Concentration87
  • Determination84
  • Tactical Discipline88

Career 87.6

  • Consistency94
  • Longevity96
  • Achievements66
  • Durability90
  • Loyalty92

Profile

Born
8 October 1922
Foot
Right
Career
1946–1961
Prime
1950-1960

Club career

  • 1946–1949 IFK Norrköping
  • 1949–1961 AC Milan

Honours

League title · Allsvenskan IFK Norrköping 2

1946–47, 1947–48

League title · Serie A AC Milan 4

1950–51, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1958–59

Olympic gold medal 1

1948

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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