Last week, John Mellberg was promoted from the U21 national team to the A national team ahead of the international matches against Hungary (tonight) and Algeria (Tuesday).
National team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson did not want to compare RB Salzburg defender John Mellberg with his father, the former national team captain and defender Olof Mellberg, who made 117 A national team appearances between 2000 and 2012 and played for clubs such as Aston Villa and Juventus.
I don't like comparing father and son. Let John be the best John he can be. And remember that he is only 18 years old, the Dane said on Monday.
A few days later, the son admitted that he himself reminds his father.
Remember the father's EM goal
A lot. We are both focused, like to defend, strong in the air, fast. I am his son, so there should be similarities, says John Mellberg.
He remembers that Olof was behind Sweden's two EM goals in the 2–3 loss to England at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv 13 years ago, a month before he himself turned six years old.
I know he scored a goal against England there, equalized. It was a big moment. Otherwise, I don't remember much.
In tonight's training match in Budapest, John can make his A national team debut, about 25 years after Olof (0–1 loss away to Italy in Palermo in February 2000).
What did Olof say this week?
Just go ahead. I'm good at football, so it's just a matter of showing it, says John Mellberg.
Together with Jordan Larsson (father Henrik), they are the two sons of former national team stars who took Sweden to knockout matches in both World Championship and European Championship finals.
I've talked to Jordan, of course. But not yet.
Talked to Klopp
Last season, Mellberg played in the Austrian Bundesliga with Salzburg and in the second division with Liefering. In the spring, it was a meeting with Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool's former star coach who is the global football chief at Red Bull, which owns both clubs.
He came and greeted me. But I haven't had any more contact than that. We talked briefly, greeted and checked the situation.
Will John Mellberg's next career step be RB's crown jewel Leipzig in the German Bundesliga?
I don't know what will be the next step right now. I'm thinking mostly about doing my thing and performing as well as possible in Salzburg.
Born: July 30, 2006, in Birmingham, England (18 years old).
Position: Defender.
Club: RB Salzburg.
Senior clubs: Brommapojkarna (–2023), RB Salzburg (2023–), FC Liefering (loan, 2023–).
Other: Had father Olof Mellberg as a coach in BP.
Current: Can make A national team debut away against Hungary in Budapest on national day.
