1. Overview
Victor Jörgen Nilsson Lindelöf, born on July 17, 1994, is a Swedish professional footballer who primarily plays as a centre-back for Manchester United in the Premier League and captains the Sweden national team. He is also capable of playing as a right-back or a defensive midfielder. Lindelöf began his career in Sweden with Västerås SK before moving to Benfica in Portugal. After successful years in Portugal, he joined Manchester United in 2017. Internationally, he has represented Sweden at various youth levels, notably winning the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, and has since become a key player for the senior national team, participating in major tournaments like UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2020.
2. Early life and youth career
Victor Lindelöf started his football journey in his hometown of Västerås, Sweden. During his youth, he played for several local clubs, including IK Franke, Västerås IK, and Västerås SK. In 2011, he had a trial with English club Stoke City, but the club ultimately did not make an offer for him.
3. Club career
Lindelöf's professional club career began in Sweden before he moved to Portugal and eventually to England, where he joined one of the most prominent clubs in the Premier League.
3.1. Västerås SK
Lindelöf made his first-team debut for Västerås SK in October 2009, at the young age of 15. This debut match saw his team secure a 3-0 victory against BK Forward in the final round of the 2009 Division 1 Norra season. In the subsequent 2010 season, he played a crucial role in helping his team achieve promotion to the Superettan, which is the second-highest league in the Swedish football league system. In 2011, he became a regular starter in the Superettan and was recognized for his performance, being named the "Player of the Year" for Västerås SK.
3.2. Benfica
On December 1, 2011, Lindelöf agreed to join Portuguese club Benfica, with the transfer scheduled for the summer of 2012. His contract was later extended until 2020 on June 8, 2015. During the 2012-13 season, he played for Benfica's youth team and helped them win the Portuguese under-19 championship. He made his first-team debut on October 19, 2013, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 Portuguese Cup victory against CD Cinfães. In the 2013-14 season, he scored 2 goals in 33 matches for the reserve team.
He returned to the first team during the 2015-16 season, featuring in a 1-0 win against Nacional in the Taça da Liga. On February 16, 2016, he played the entire match in Benfica's 1-0 home win against Zenit Saint Petersburg in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Four days later, he scored his first goal for Benfica in a 3-1 Primeira Liga victory over Paços de Ferreira. On May 28, 2017, he participated in the Taça de Portugal final, which Benfica won 2-1 against Vitória de Guimarães. By the time he departed Benfica, Lindelöf had accumulated an impressive list of accolades, including three Primeira Liga titles, two Taça de Portugal titles, and one Taça da Liga title. He was also selected for the SJPF Primeira Liga Team of the Year in 2016 and was named in the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI in 2016.
3.3. Manchester United
Lindelöf's transfer to Manchester United marked a significant step in his career, bringing him to the English Premier League. His journey at the club has seen periods of adaptation, consistent performance, and a growing leadership role.
3.3.1. 2017-18 season
On June 10, 2017, Manchester United announced that they had reached an agreement with Benfica to sign Lindelöf. The transfer fee was 35.00 M EUR, with a potential 10.00 M EUR in add-ons. This move meant that 3.00 M EUR of the transfer fee was allocated to his former club, Västerås SK, making them one of the wealthiest clubs in Sweden at the time. Lindelöf completed his medical at the Trafford Training Centre on June 14, signing a four-year contract with an option for an additional year, effective from July 1. This transfer made him Manchester United's most expensive defender after Rio Ferdinand at the time, with a fee of approximately 31.00 M GBP (approximately 44.30 B KRW).
He made his official debut for Manchester United against Real Madrid in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup. However, his Premier League debut came more than two months later, on October 14, when he was brought on as a substitute during added time against Liverpool. Initially, he struggled to adapt to the league, and on October 21, in a match against Huddersfield Town, he made a critical error after being substituted on for an injured Phil Jones, contributing to a 1-2 defeat and receiving a low rating. Despite this, he demonstrated his potential, delivering a stable defensive performance in a 1-0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion on November 26, earning him the Man of the Match award. Throughout the season, he was limited to 17 Premier League appearances (13 starts) due to Jose Mourinho's preference for a defensive partnership of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. During this period, he faced criticism from former players like Gary Neville, though others such as Ryan Giggs came to his defense.
3.3.2. 2018-19 season
In the 2018-19 season, Lindelöf established himself as Jose Mourinho's preferred centre-back, seeing significantly more playing time than in the previous season. He played the full 90 minutes in the opening match of the season on August 11, 2019, a 2-1 home win against Leicester City. He went on to start in 11 out of 13 league matches before Mourinho's departure in December 2018, when he was replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Lindelöf scored his first goal for Manchester United on January 29, 2019, netting the team's second goal in a 2-2 league draw at home against Burnley.
3.3.3. 2019-20 season
In September 2019, Lindelöf signed a new contract with Manchester United, extending his stay until 2024 with an option for a further year. Throughout the 2019-20 season, he formed a strong defensive partnership with Harry Maguire. On December 1, 2019, he played the full 90 minutes and scored his only goal of the season in a 2-2 league draw against Aston Villa. He finished the season with 35 appearances and one goal in the Premier League, ranking third in league appearances for the club behind Maguire and David de Gea, who both played all 38 matches.
3.3.4. 2020-21 season
Lindelöf opened his goal-scoring account for the 2020-21 season on December 20, 2020, in a resounding 6-2 home victory against Leeds United. He played the full 90 minutes on February 2, 2021, in Manchester United's record-equalling 9-0 home win against Southampton. On May 26, 2021, he played the entire 120 minutes of the 2021 UEFA Europa League final as Manchester United lost to Villarreal after a 10-11 penalty shootout. Lindelöf successfully converted United's 10th penalty kick during the shootout.
3.3.5. 2021-22 season
During the 2021-22 season, Lindelöf made 28 appearances in the Premier League, contributing to 35 total appearances across all competitions. His role within the team saw some changes, but he remained a consistent option in defense.
3.3.6. 2022-23 season
In the 2022-23 season, Lindelöf primarily served as a backup option to key central defenders Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane, often alongside Harry Maguire. However, his role significantly increased in April when both Martínez and Varane sustained injuries during a 2-2 UEFA Europa League draw against Sevilla. Promoted to first-choice, he played the full 120 minutes of Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final victory against Brighton & Hove Albion on April 23. In that match, he scored the decisive winning penalty in the shootout, which ended 7-6 in United's favor, securing a place in the final against Manchester City. He also played in the FA Cup final on June 3, which City won 2-1. At the conclusion of the season, Lindelöf was noted as the Premier League's most accurate passer, boasting a pass completion rate of 93.1%. While generally performing well, he faced some criticism earlier in the season under Erik ten Hag for being moved to right-back during a match against Real Sociedad, where some observers noted his defensive vulnerabilities.
3.3.7. 2023-24 season
On November 11, 2023, Lindelöf scored his first goal for Manchester United since December 2020, securing a 1-0 win over Luton Town at Old Trafford. During the 2023-24 season, he made 19 Premier League appearances and 28 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal and contributing to the team's efforts.
3.3.8. 2024-25 season
As of late February 2025, Lindelöf has made 6 Premier League appearances and 10 overall appearances for Manchester United in the 2024-25 season.
4. International career
Lindelöf has been a consistent presence in Sweden's national football teams, from youth levels to captaining the senior squad.
4.1. Youth national teams
Lindelöf made his debut for the Sweden U-21 national team on October 14, 2014, in the second leg of the qualification play-offs against France. Although he was initially not named in the final squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, he was called up on June 15, 2015, as a replacement for defender Emil Krafth, who was ruled out due to a back injury. He made his tournament debut in Sweden's first game against Italy. On June 30, 2015, in the final against Portugal, Lindelöf successfully converted Sweden's fifth and final penalty in a 4-3 shootout victory, securing the European U-21 Championship title. Following the tournament, he was named in the Team of the Tournament. Lindelöf was also included in Sweden's 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but his club, Benfica, prevented him from participating, believing that his involvement would negatively impact his performance for the upcoming season.
4.2. Senior national team
Lindelöf's progression to the senior national team saw him become a regular starter and eventually, the team captain.
4.2.1. Debut and early appearances
Lindelöf received his first call-up to the senior Sweden squad in March 2016 for friendly matches against Turkey and Czech Republic. He made his senior international debut on March 24, 2016, in a 2-1 away loss to Turkey.
4.2.2. UEFA Euro 2016
He was selected for Sweden's squad for UEFA Euro 2016 in France, where he started all three of their group stage games. Despite his contributions, Sweden failed to progress to the round of 16.
4.2.3. 2018 FIFA World Cup
Lindelöf scored his first international goal for Sweden in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Friends Arena in Solna on October 10, 2016. In May 2018, he was named in Sweden's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Lindelöf missed Sweden's opening game against South Korea due to illness, but he became a regular starter in defense alongside fellow centre-back Andreas Granqvist for the remainder of the tournament. Lindelöf and Sweden were eliminated in the quarter-finals by England. He also scored his second international goal on November 20, 2018, in a 2-0 victory against Russia in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League B.
4.2.4. UEFA Euro 2020
In March 2019, Lindelöf was called up for Sweden's UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Romania and Norway. However, he chose to withdraw from the squad due to personal reasons, specifically the birth of his first child, and was replaced by Anton Tinnerholm. He later represented Sweden at UEFA Euro 2020, appearing in all four of their matches as Sweden reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Ukraine. On September 5, 2019, he scored his third international goal in a 4-0 away victory against the Faroe Islands during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualification campaign.
4.2.5. Captaincy
On August 11, 2021, following Andreas Granqvist's retirement after Euro 2020, Sweden coach Janne Andersson appointed Lindelöf as the new captain of the Swedish national team.
5. Personal life
Following his transfer to Manchester United in 2017, Victor Lindelöf announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, Maja Nilsson. The couple married in Sweden at the end of May 2018. Their first son was born in March 2019, and their second son was born in October 2021.
In August 2020, while in his home city, Lindelöf witnessed a robbery where a man on a bike stole a bag from a 90-year-old woman. Lindelöf pursued the thief on foot, successfully caught him, and held him until the police arrived. The police publicly commended Lindelöf for his "quick and wise intervention." In January 2022, while Lindelöf was playing for Manchester United in a 3-1 win against Brentford, his home in Manchester was broken into by intruders. Fortunately, his wife and two children, who were at home at the time, managed to hide and were unharmed.
6. Career statistics
Statistics are accurate as of 26 February 2025 for club appearances and 16 November 2024 for international appearances.
6.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Västerås SK | 2009 | Division 1 Norra | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2010 | Division 1 Norra | 9 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 9 | 0 | |||||
| 2011 | Superettan | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 28 | 0 | ||||
| 2012 | Division 1 Norra | 13 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 13 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 50 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 51 | 0 | |||||
| Benfica B | 2012-13 | Segunda Liga | 15 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 15 | 0 | ||||
| 2013-14 | Segunda Liga | 33 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 33 | 2 | |||||
| 2014-15 | Segunda Liga | 41 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 41 | 2 | |||||
| 2015-16 | LigaPro | 7 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 7 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 96 | 4 | - | - | - | - | 96 | 4 | ||||||
| Benfica | 2013-14 | Primeira Liga | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014-15 | Primeira Liga | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2015-16 | Primeira Liga | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2016-17 | Primeira Liga | 32 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 1 | |
| Total | 48 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 73 | 2 | ||
| Manchester United | 2017-18 | Premier League | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | Premier League | 30 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | - | 40 | 1 | ||
| 2019-20 | Premier League | 35 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 47 | 1 | ||
| 2020-21 | Premier League | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | - | 45 | 1 | ||
| 2021-22 | Premier League | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | 35 | 0 | ||
| 2022-23 | Premier League | 20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | - | 35 | 0 | ||
| 2023-24 | Premier League | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2024-25 | Premier League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Total | 184 | 4 | 22 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 269 | 4 | ||
| Career total | 378 | 10 | 29 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 489 | 10 | ||
6.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | |||
| 2016 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 70 | 3 | |
:As of match played 16 November 2024. Sweden score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lindelöf goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 October 2016 | Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden | БългарияBulgariaBulgarian | 3-0 | 3-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 20 November 2018 | Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden | РоссияRussiaRussian | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2018-19 UEFA Nations League B |
| 3 | 5 September 2019 | Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands | FøroyarFaroe IslandsFaroese | 3-0 | 4-0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
7. Honours
7.1. Club honours
Västerås SK
- Division 1 Norra: 2010
Benfica
- Primeira Liga: 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17
- Taça de Portugal: 2013-14, 2016-17
- Taça da Liga: 2015-16
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2016
Manchester United
- FA Cup: 2023-24; runner-up: 2017-18, 2022-23
- EFL Cup: 2022-23
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2020-21
7.2. International honours
Sweden U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2015
7.3. Individual awards
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2015
- Swedish Defender of the Year: 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI: 2016
- SJPF Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2016
- Guldbollen: 2018, 2019
- BBC Team of the Week: Week 16, 2023
8. External links
- [https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/victor-lindelof Profile at Manchester United]
- [https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/landslagsdatabas/landslagsspelare/?fplid=364608 Victor Lindelöf at SvFF]
- [https://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=250055905/ Victor Lindelöf at UEFA]
- [https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=75984 Victor Lindelöf at Soccerbase]
- [https://int.soccerway.com/players/victor-lindelof/127315/ Victor Lindelöf at Soccerway]
- [https://twitter.com/vlindelof Victor Lindelöf on Twitter]
- [https://www.instagram.com/victorlindelof/ Victor Lindelöf on Instagram]