Many considered that already in 2017 he should have been awarded the finest individual prize a Swedish men’s football player can receive. That time, the jury’s choice fell on the former national team captain Andreas Granqvist – but four years later, no one stood in the way of the 2021 Gold Ball winner: Emil Forsberg.
– It has been a fantastic year. It makes me very happy and proud. It feels completely magical, you almost have to pinch your arm. You enjoy now, says Forsberg on video link during the broadcast of “Football Year 2021”, a digital TV format that just like last year replaced the traditional Football Gala.
The 30-year-old must have started the calendar year a bit hesitantly and sparingly with playing time in his German club team RB Leipzig, but in the national team “Foppa” has time and time again emerged with its offensive playing style and posed Sweden’s biggest threat going forward in a well-synchronized collaboration with, among other things, additions in the attack as Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski.
This was seen not least during this summer’s European Football Championship when Forsberg scored four goals in five matches.
– This year I have been very calm and comfortable in my role, both on and off the field. It has made me grow as a player and leader. I have found a good role, believed in myself and found my own game where I know I can be dominant but also help my teammates in the best way, the midfielder continues.
During the autumn has Forsberg once again gained a prominent role in the club team and was instrumental in both the Champions League and the Bundesliga. But he himself still highlights this summer’s championship as the big highlight of the year when Sweden went to the round of 16.
– The European Championships must be mentioned. For me personally, it was absolutely fantastic to be part of such a group. Unfortunately it did not go that far but it was a championship you will never forget. Cohesion we had was few and far between, that is what is the strongest memory I have of this year.
When Emil Forsberg is back on the football field, however, remains to be seen. At home against Arminia Bielefeld he recently injured his left thigh and risks being away from games for a couple of months but will hopefully be ready when Sweden plays the playoffs for the World Cup against the Czech Republic in March.