The Untold Story of Nils Liedholm: The Swedish Midfielder Who Led AC Milan to European Glory

 

When one thinks of AC Milan, they might think of legends like Paolo Maldini or Marco van Basten. However, one name that often goes unrecognized is Nils Liedholm. The Swedish midfielder played an integral role in AC Milan's rise to prominence in the 1950s, helping to lead the team to two European Cup victories.

Born in Valdemarsvik, Sweden, in 1922, Liedholm began his football career playing for local team Valdemarsviks IF. In 1946, he was signed by IFK Norrköping, one of the top teams in the Swedish league. Liedholm quickly made a name for himself as a versatile midfielder with excellent ball control and a keen eye for goal. He helped lead IFK Norrköping to five league titles and two Swedish Cups during his time with the team.

In 1949, Liedholm was invited to play for the Swedish national team in a match against Norway. He scored two goals in the match, and his impressive performance caught the eye of several Italian clubs. Eventually, Liedholm signed with AC Milan in 1949, becoming the first Swedish player to play for the team.

Liedholm's arrival at AC Milan coincided with the beginning of a new era for the team. The club had struggled in the years leading up to Liedholm's arrival, finishing in the bottom half of the league table for several seasons. However, with Liedholm in the midfield, the team began to turn things around.

Liedholm quickly established himself as a key player for AC Milan, providing both offensive and defensive support. He was known for his excellent passing ability and his ability to control the tempo of the game. He also had a keen eye for goal, scoring 81 goals in 359 appearances for AC Milan.

Despite his individual success, Liedholm's greatest achievements came as part of the team. In 1951, AC Milan won the Italian league title for the first time in 44 years. Liedholm was a key player in the team's success, scoring 15 goals in 34 appearances. The following year, AC Milan won the Italian Cup, with Liedholm scoring two goals in the final.

However, Liedholm's greatest achievement with AC Milan came in 1958, when the team won the European Cup for the first time. The team, which included legendary players like Cesare Maldini and Juan Schiaffino, faced off against Portuguese side Benfica in the final. Liedholm played a crucial role in the match, setting up the first goal and scoring the second as AC Milan won 2-1.

Liedholm's success with AC Milan made him a beloved figure among the club's supporters. He was known for his hard work, his dedication to the team, and his sportsmanship on and off the field. He was also respected by his fellow players, with many considering him to be one of the best midfielders of his era.

Despite his success with AC Milan, Liedholm's time with the team came to an end in 1961. He returned to Sweden to play for AS Roma, where he played for two seasons before retiring in 1963.

After retiring from football, Liedholm became a coach. He coached several Swedish teams, as well as the Italian team AS Roma. He also coached the Swedish national team during the 1970 World Cup, where they finished in third place.

Throughout his life, Liedholm remained humble about his achievements, and he was known for his quiet and reserved nature. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 85, but his legacy lives on as one of the greatest midfielders in AC Milan's history.

Liedholm was born in Valdemarsvik, a small town in Sweden, in 1922. He grew up playing football on the streets with his friends and quickly developed a love for the game. At the age of 15, he joined his local team and began playing competitive football. He quickly made a name for himself as a talented midfielder, known for his vision, passing, and ability to control the tempo of the game.

In 1946, Liedholm was invited to join the Swedish national team for a match against Norway. He impressed on his debut and quickly established himself as a key player for his country. Over the next decade, he would go on to make 49 appearances for Sweden and become one of the most beloved players in the country's history.

Despite his success with the national team, Liedholm remained relatively unknown outside of Sweden until he signed for AC Milan in 1949. The move came about after Liedholm had caught the eye of Milan's legendary coach, the Argentinean-born Carlo Carcano, who was on a scouting trip in Sweden.

Liedholm arrived in Milan as part of a wave of foreign players who were transforming Italian football in the 1950s. He was one of the first Swedish players to play professionally in Italy, and his arrival was met with a great deal of excitement from Milan fans.

At Milan, Liedholm quickly established himself as a key player in the team's midfield. He was a technically gifted player who was able to dictate the pace of the game and create chances for his teammates. He was also a tireless worker who was never afraid to put in a tackle or track back to help out his defenders.

Under Carcano's guidance, Milan began to build a team around Liedholm. They brought in other foreign players, such as the Dutch striker Gunnar Nordahl and the Welsh defender Jack Reynolds, and began to play a more attacking style of football. Liedholm formed a deadly partnership with Nordahl, with the two players combining to devastating effect in front of goal.

In 1951, Milan won their first Scudetto in 44 years, with Liedholm playing a key role in the team's success. They followed that up with another title the following year, and by the mid-1950s, Milan were the dominant team in Italian football.

But it was in Europe where Liedholm and Milan truly made their mark. In 1955, they reached the final of the European Cup, where they faced the defending champions, Real Madrid. The Spanish giants were the favorites to win, but Milan played a tactical masterclass, with Liedholm pulling the strings in midfield. Nordahl scored twice, and Milan won 4-3 in front of a stunned crowd at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

It was a historic moment for Milan and Italian football, and Liedholm was hailed as a hero. He had played a crucial role in Milan's victory, setting up Nordahl's first goal and creating several other chances throughout the game. It was a performance that cemented his place in Milan's history and made him one of the most beloved players in the club's history.

Milan went on to win the European Cup twice more in the 1950s, with Liedholm playing a key role in both victories. He continued to play for Milan until 1961, when he retired from playing at the age of 39.

After retiring from playing, Liedholm became a successful coach, taking charge of several clubs in Italy and Sweden. He also coached the Swedish national team, leading them to the quarter-finals of the 1974 World Cup.

Liedholm’s coaching career was no less successful than his playing career. He coached a number of clubs in Italy, including Roma, Fiorentina, and Cagliari, and even had a second stint at AC Milan in the late 1970s. In 1979, he led Cagliari to their first and only Serie A title, a remarkable achievement for a club from Sardinia.

In addition to his success at club level, Liedholm was also a successful coach at international level. He managed Sweden in the 1980 European Championships and took them to the final, where they were defeated by West Germany. Liedholm is still considered one of the greatest coaches in Swedish football history, and his legacy continues to inspire young players and coaches in his homeland.

Despite his success as a player and coach, Liedholm remained a humble and unassuming man throughout his life. He was known for his honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the field, and was widely respected by his peers and fans alike. In 2007, Liedholm was posthumously inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring legacy in the country.

Nils Liedholm’s contribution to AC Milan’s success in the 1950s is an untold story that deserves greater recognition. His role as a playmaker and leader helped to transform the team into a dominant force in European football, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of players and coaches. Liedholm was not just a great footballer and coach, but also a humble and honorable man who embodied the best qualities of the sport. He will always be remembered as a true legend of AC Milan and Italian football.