Victor Lindelöf

Victor Jörgen Nilsson Lindelöf, born on July 17, 1994, is a Swedish professional footballer renowned for his defensive prowess. He currently serves as a defender for Manchester United in the Premier League and holds the honor of captaining the Sweden national team. While primarily operating as a centre-back, Lindelöf's versatility allows him to excel in roles as a right-back and defensive midfielder as well.


Lindelöf embarked on his football journey in his native Sweden, starting his career at Västerås SK. His debut for the club came in October 2009, marking the beginning of an impressive trajectory. In December 2011, Lindelöf made a significant move to Benfica in Portugal, initially featuring for the club's youth and B teams. Despite his young age, he demonstrated immense potential, earning his spot in the first team in September 2013. Throughout his tenure at Benfica, Lindelöf played a pivotal role in their success, contributing to three Primeira Liga title victories.In July 2017, Lindelöf embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining Manchester United. His arrival at the esteemed English club further solidified his status as a top-tier defender in European football.


On the international stage, Lindelöf has represented Sweden across various age levels, including under-17, under-19, and under-21 teams. Notably, he was part of the triumphant squad that clinched the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, showcasing his talent on a continental level. Lindelöf made his senior international debut in March 2016 and has since been a stalwart presence for the Swedish national team. He played significant roles in major tournaments such as UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2020, demonstrating his reliability and skill on the global stage.


Victor Lindelöf reached an agreement to join the esteemed Portuguese club Benfica, with the transfer slated for the summer of 2012. This move marked a significant step in his career trajectory, propelling him into the competitive landscape of European football. Subsequently, on June 8, 2015, Lindelöf's commitment to Benfica was reaffirmed as his contract was extended until 2020, highlighting the club's confidence in his abilities and potential.During the 2012–13 season, Lindelöf plied his trade for Benfica's youth team, showcasing his talent and dedication on the pitch. His contributions played a pivotal role in clinching the Portuguese under-19 championship, underlining his early impact within the club's ranks.


Lindelöf's progression continued as he made his first-team debut for Benfica on October 19, 2013, in a Portuguese Cup encounter against CD Cinfães. He demonstrated his capabilities by delivering a solid performance, earning praise for his composure and skill on the ball. Throughout the 2013–14 season, Lindelöf continued to impress, tallying two goals in 33 appearances for Benfica's reserve team, further solidifying his place within the club's setup.
The 2015–16 season marked Lindelöf's return to the first-team fold, signaling a new chapter in his Benfica journey. He made notable contributions on the field, including a memorable performance in a 1–0 victory against Nacional in the Taça da Liga. Lindelöf's talents were further highlighted on February 16, 2016, when he played the full 90 minutes in a crucial UEFA Champions League encounter against Zenit Saint Petersburg, showcasing his defensive prowess and tactical acumen.


In the following days, Lindelöf etched his name in Benfica's history books by netting his maiden goal for the club in a 3–1 triumph over Paços de Ferreira in the Primeira Liga. His goal-scoring prowess added a new dimension to his game, earning plaudits from fans and pundits alike. Lindelöf's contributions were instrumental in Benfica's success, culminating in a memorable Taça de Portugal triumph over Vitória de Guimarães on May 28, 2017.
Throughout his tenure at Benfica, Lindelöf amassed an impressive collection of silverware, including three Primeira Liga titles, two Taça de Portugal titles, and one Taça da Liga title, solidifying his status as a key figure in the club's illustrious history.


Manchester United made headlines by announcing a significant transfer deal with Benfica for the acquisition of Victor Lindelöf. The deal, valued at 35 million with an additional million in potential add-ons, marked a notable investment by the club in bolstering its defensive ranks. However, the completion of the transfer was contingent upon the finalization of personal terms and the successful completion of a medical examination.
In a unique twist, a portion of the transfer fee, amounting to 3 million, was allocated to former club Vasteras SK as part of a pre-existing sell-on clause. This unexpected windfall elevated Vasteras SK's financial standing, positioning them as one of the wealthiest clubs in Sweden at the time.


Following the completion of his medical evaluation at the Trafford Training Centre on June 14, Lindelöf officially sealed his move to Manchester United by putting pen to paper on a four-year contract, with the option for an additional year. The commencement of his contract was slated for July 1, symbolizing the start of a new chapter in his footballing journey.
Lindelöf's debut for Manchester United came in a high-profile encounter against Real Madrid in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup, showcasing the club's ambition and determination to compete at the highest level of European football. However, his Premier League debut was delayed, with his first appearance in the competition occurring more than two months later, as he was brought on during added time against Liverpool on October 14.


Despite his undeniable talent and potential, Lindelöf faced challenges in securing regular playing time in the Premier League during his debut season at Manchester United. Manager Jose Mourinho's preference for a defensive partnership comprising Chris Smalling and Phil Jones limited Lindelöf's opportunities, restricting him to just 17 league appearances, of which he started 13.
During the season, Victor Lindelöf found himself primarily serving as a backup to Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane, who formed the preferred center-back pairing alongside Harry Maguire. However, an unfortunate turn of events unfolded during a tense 2–2 UEFA Europa League draw with Sevilla in April when both Martínez and Varane sustained injuries, thrusting Lindelöf into the spotlight as the first-choice center-back.


Embracing the newfound responsibility, Lindelöf showcased his resilience and composure on the pitch. One of the standout moments came during Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on April 23. In this thrilling encounter, Lindelöf played the entire 120 minutes and demonstrated his nerve by scoring the winning penalty in the dramatic shootout, which culminated in a 7–6 victory for United, securing their berth in the final showdown against Manchester City.
Despite his valiant efforts, Lindelöf and Manchester United ultimately fell short in the FA Cup final against Manchester City on June 3, with City emerging victorious with a 2–1 win. Nevertheless, Lindelöf's contributions did not go unnoticed, and he ended the season on a high note statistically.

References

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4. ^ Victor Lindelöf at BeSoccer
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9. ^ "Har haft ett bra år i VSK" [Have had a good year in VSK]. VSK Fotboll (in Swedish). 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
10. a b "VSK Fotboll till Superettan!" [VSK Football to Superettan!]. VSK Fotboll (in Swedish). 17 October 2010. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
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