90 minutes in the 5–1 win against Northern Ireland at the end of March. That's the only thing he has done in the national team this year. Injuries, addition to the family, searching for a new club. The reasons for absence have been many and varied for the team captain who otherwise has been a constant presence in the national team environment for almost ten years. The desire to be involved is the same as before.
I have always had big dreams with the national team. I had a goal when I started that I wanted to reach 100 international matches. It feels far away right now. We'll see how the body feels, how I feel mentally and now that I have three children, there are other things to take care of, he says.
After the fiasco against Kosovo, the national team is with its back against the wall in the World Championship qualifying. Then it can be good to have someone like Nilsson Lindelöf to hold on to.
Win or disappear
How do you assess the match against Switzerland (Strawberry arena on Friday)?
It's a bit win or disappear if we want to be able to go directly to the World Championship. I have been involved in many such matches. There is a difference to enter into one like that. It requires a different thinking and a different type of mentality to go from there with three points.
Do you need to step in and point out the importance of the match?
I don't think so, but I will push and make sure everyone is switched on, he says.
Despite limited playing time in the autumn, he sees no problems with playing 90 minutes – if he gets to.
No, I feel great. I think I've played matches in worse physical condition. I feel ready.
Rejection of Saudi Arabia
Only when the transfer window was about to close was everything solved with Aston Villa.
I had a few interesting options that I discussed with the family and the agent. In the end, I landed on that the best was to come back to England. I said no to quite a lot where it didn't feel right for the family and me in terms of football.
Earning big money in the Saudi league was not on the map.
I'm not the type of person who wants to go to such a country. For the family, it doesn't feel good for the children. Maja, my wife, would absolutely not want to move there. It's a fairly easy decision for me to make.
"Sad ending"
The old guard was further thinned out when Robin Olsen, under notable circumstances, said goodbye last week.
A very good friend of mine. Of course, it becomes a sad ending to a very fine national team career. One easily forgets how important he has been over the years.
Of course, we talk. At the same time, I have my responsibility here as a player and captain and towards the coach Jon (Dahl Tomasson). I end up a bit in the middle, but I feel that I have handled it in a good way.
Henrik Skiöld/TT
Facts: International matches under Tomasson
TT
Victor Nilsson Lindelöf has, for various reasons, missed more than half of the international matches during Jon Dahl Tomasson's time as national team manager. The team captain has participated in seven out of 16 international matches.
2025
+ Not in the squad for the international matches against Hungary (2–0) and Algeria (4–3) in June or for the World Championship qualifying matches against Slovenia (2–2) and Kosovo (0–2) in September.
+ Played 90 minutes against Northern Ireland (5–1) in March.
+ On the bench without playing against Luxembourg (0–1) in March.
2024
+ Played 25 minutes against Slovakia (2–1) in the Nations League in November. Injured early. Not against Azerbaijan (6–0).
+ Benched throughout the match against Estonia (3–0) in the Nations League.
+ Substitute appearance on 28 minutes against Slovakia (2–2) in Bratislava in October.
+ Not in the Nations League opening against Azerbaijan (3–1) and Estonia (3–0) in September.
+ Played all four international matches in March and June, against Portugal (2–5), Albania (1–0), Denmark (1–2), and Serbia (0–3) from start. Substituted out of two.
Born: July 17, 1994 (31 years old).
Club: Aston Villa.
Previous clubs: IK Franke, Västerås IK, Västerås SK, Benfica, Manchester United.
International matches/goals: 71/3.
International debut: March 24, 2016 against Turkey (1–2).
Championships: European Championship 2016, World Championship 2018, European Championship 2021, European Champion with U21 2015.
National team managers: Erik Hamrén, Janne Andersson, Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Other: Appointed as Andreas Granqvist's successor as team captain in August 2021. Started in nine of the ten qualifying matches for the World Championship 2022 and in all qualifying matches for the European Championship 2024. Winner of the Guldbollen 2018 and 2019.
