From Messi Mural to Celtic Mainstay: The Rise of Benjamin Nygren
Growing up in Gothenburg, Benjamin Nygren's bedroom wall featured a dominant mural of Lionel Messi, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo playing secondary roles in his footballing imagination. The Barcelona magician stood as his primary idol during those formative years.
'In my room as a child, the whole wall was like a big picture of Messi,' Nygren revealed after joining Celtic last summer. 'He was my main idol. But also Zlatan, a huge guy in Sweden. Cristiano as well. Even though Messi was my favourite, Cristiano Ronaldo was incredible.'
A Different Physical Profile
Despite sharing Messi's left-footed preference and spending countless hours honing his skills, Nygren developed a very different physical profile. By age 18, when he transferred from IFK Gothenburg to Belgian side Genk for £4 million in 2019, he already stood at 6 feet tall.
This physical development contributed to what has become a persistent question throughout his career: what exactly is his best position? The player himself remains uncertain, having operated in midfield, on the wing, and as a striker during the current campaign.
'I don't know,' the 24-year-old admitted last December when asked about his optimal role. 'To be honest, I don't think the position matters. I have played in almost all of the offensive positions and in midfield, but I like to move around a lot, to score and assist.'
Defying Football's Positional Labels
Nygren represents something of an enigma in modern football, where players are routinely categorized as holding midfielders, attacking midfielders, wingers, or inside forwards. He thrives when granted freedom to roam and influence matches across multiple areas of the pitch.
This positional ambiguity has sometimes frustrated Celtic supporters, yet the statistics reveal a player delivering exceptional value. With 18 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions, Nygren has emerged as Celtic's shining light during a turbulent season.
His contributions have included crucial, game-changing moments, such as his equalizer against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park recently, where Celtic fought back from 2-0 down to secure a 3-2 victory.
Statistical Excellence Defying Criticism
Currently enjoying rich form with 11 goals in his last 16 matches, Nygren shares the Premiership's top scorer position with Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise, both having netted 14 league goals. These numbers would be impressive for an out-and-out striker, let alone a midfielder.
Despite some supporters' perceptions that he misses too many chances, data analytics tell a different story. According to Huddle Statsbomb metrics, Nygren leads the SPFL in expected goals over-performance, meaning he's actually scoring more than statistical models predict he should.
This data-driven insight disproves the narrative about wasted opportunities and highlights his genuine contribution to Celtic's campaign.
Bargain Signing Attracting Premier League Interest
Celtic secured Nygren for just £1.7 million from Danish club FC Nordsjaelland last summer, representing exceptional value in today's transfer market. With several English Premier League clubs now monitoring his performances weekly, the Glasgow side stands to make a substantial profit on their investment.
Although he signed a five-year contract upon arrival, a significant summer offer could see his Celtic tenure prove brief, particularly if he continues scoring and helps deliver the Premiership title.
A Journey Forged Through Resilience
Nygren's path to prominence hasn't been straightforward. His initial move to Genk didn't unfold as planned, leading to loan spells at Heerenveen in Holland before his transfer to FC Nordsjaelland. These challenging experiences during his teenage years cultivated resilience and mental fortitude.
That character has been tested during a debut Celtic season featuring three different managers—Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy, and Martin O'Neill—amid considerable off-field turbulence.
Yet as Celtic prepare for crucial fixtures, including Sunday's match at Ibrox, Nygren has emerged as perhaps the single most important player carrying the club's title aspirations. He has navigated through criticism, much of it unjustified, to become the team's primary goal threat.
An accomplished golfer playing to a single-digit handicap, Nygren may not rival Swedish compatriot and former Open champion Henrik Stenson on the links, but the SPFL Premiership trophy remains firmly within his sights as Celtic seek to leapfrog Rangers in the title race.
