Every generation has the one striker who seems born to dominate. Fifteen years ago, it was Zlatan. Today, it’s Erling Haaland – a natural phenomenon that looks like a mixture of striker and machine. And now? The football world is looking for the next Scandinavian superstar to follow in his footsteps.
The Nordic talent factory is boiling right now, and the interest around these players is even noticeable at Norwegian betting sites. After diving into youngster stats, reports, and early senior minutes, I’ve put together a list of Nordic players who look set to explode in 2025-26. No “Haaland clones”, but definitely players with special qualities that can push them into the limelight.
But what exactly makes a player “Haaland-like”?
Before we start throwing around big names, it’s good to remember what made Haaland’s breakthrough so dramatic — and why he is still the benchmark for young Nordic attackers:
1. Physics from another planet
Acceleration that looks animated. Duel strength that makes stoppers bounce back. A combination of speed, strength and resilience that almost no one his age had when he broke through. In short: things you can’t train yourself to – you’re born with it.
2. Wild goal numbers
Even as a 17-year-old, he had the “give me half a meter and I’ll score” aura. He delivered numbers that usually only come from fully developed attackers, not teenagers. His shot volume, xG and efficiency were on par with top players long before he was.
3. Early Senior Confidence
Molde and Salzburg didn’t throw him into the games – they let him go. He got to play to his strengths instead of being pushed into a system that limited him. Early experience against physically strong adult players forced him to develop much faster than his peers.
4. A mentality of steel
Haaland does not play football as a sport. He plays it as a mission. Few young players have the same focus, the same hunger and the same uncompromising approach to improvement. It’s this mental side that makes coaches and scouts say, “He’s going to reach the top, it’s just a matter of when.”
These are the qualities scouts now look for when they say,
“He could be next.”
And while the football world continues to follow these new talents closely, other parts of the entertainment world have also noticed the growing interest in Nordic sports culture. Not least, this can be seen in various gaming and entertainment platforms, including casinos with fast withdrawals, where trends and profiles from sports often inspire promotions, content and attention. That says something about how big football’s impact is – when even casino and gaming communities are watching who could be the next big name from the Nordics.
Nordic talents you need to follow in 2025-26
Here are the players who are already creating buzz – and who can create even more next season.
Lucas Bergvall (Sweden, Tottenham Hotspur)
The upcoming midfield force
Tottenham didn’t fight Barcelona for nothing. Bergvall is not a pure striker, but he has the same aura that Haaland had early on: you only need one game to understand that he is special.
Powerful in drive, calm under pressure, and already physically Premier League ready as an 18-year-old – he is on the verge of a breakthrough.
Why he is exciting:
- Pushes opponents away like he’s 25
- Perfect timing in the runs into the box
- Already looks like an established PL player
2025-26 feeling:
If he gets enough minutes, he will end up on the “Premier League Breakout” lists before Christmas.
Andreas Schjelderup (Norway, Benfica)
The left-footed magician
Norway has more to offer than Haaland and Ødegaard – Schjelderup proves it. Soft, technical, flexible – he glides more than he runs. Not a classic 9, but a player who creates dangerous situations every time he gets the ball.
What sets him apart:
- Clinical left foot
- Loves to cut in and cause trouble
- Lots of senior minutes despite young age
2025–26 feeling:
This feels like the season where he goes from “talent” to “threat”.
Andreas Nørgaard (Denmark, FC Copenhagen)
The most Haaland-like player on the list
hay. Fast. Strong. Smart movement. Nørgaard looks like someone built a striker in a laboratory.
Still raw, but his physique and instincts are the real deal. Denmark’s striker pipeline is underestimated, and Nørgaard is one of their most exciting young 9’s.
Why he is involved:
- Dominant in the airspace
- Reading Rooms Like a Veteran
- Has the classic striker mentality: shoot first, think afterwards
2025–26 feeling:
Could quickly become the name everyone is talking about from Danish football next season.
Isak Hansen-Aarøen (Norway, Werder Bremen)
The creative creator of chaos
Not all stars are finishers – some are the brains behind the goals. Hansen-Aarøen is pure creativity. His passes are like little magic tricks, and he sees openings before they really exist.
Why he is special:
- Vision that is far beyond its age
- Tight ball control + confidence
- Loves to make breakthrough passes
2025-26 feeling:
If he gets freedom in Bremen, he could be one of the Bundesliga’s big surprises.
Adam Björnsson (Iceland, Breiðablik)
The Wildcard
Every list needs a dark horse – and Björnsson is. Iceland often produces raw, physically strong players, and Björnsson fits that description perfectly. Still in development, but the raw potential is very high.
Why he’s here:
- Strong for his age
- Good box presence
- Developing impressively fast
2025–26 feeling:
Quickly the next Icelander to be brought to a German academy club.
Termination
No one will be “the next Haaland”. That book has already been written. But the next Nordic superstar? That story begins right now – and 2025-26 could be the breakthrough season for several of these young talents. If you like to discover players before they become commonplace, the Nordics are still the place to keep a close eye on. And these five? They stand on the threshold of something big.
