Marcus Berg

At 37 years old, Marcus Berg has this physical status:

Bengt Erik Berg (Swedish pronunciation: [mrk.s]; born 17 August 1986) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays for Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg, which he captains. Berg began playing professionally in Sweden, Germany, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia in the early 2000s before returning to IFK Göteborg in 2021.

Berg made 90 caps and scored 24 goals for Sweden's national team between 2008 and 2021. He represented his country at UEFA Euro 2016 (2018 FIFA World Cup) and UEFA Euro 2020.

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Club career

Berg was promoted to the regular squad and competed for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan after two years in the youth team during the 2005 season. He appeared alongside his older brother Jonatan while playing for IFK Göteborg.

Berg played for IFK Göteborg from 2007 to 2005 and put on an exciting show in his last season as he maintained a high scoring output in league matches. Göteborg won the league last season, and Berg received a standing ovation after leaving the field after beating Kalmar FF, where Berg scored, his last for the club since being suspended for the game against Djurgrdens IF.

Berg is known as Svarte-Marcus ("Black Marcus") among dedicated IFK Göteborg followers, as a result of his numerous ambitions in the Göteborg youth and reserve teams, as well as the senior team. The nickname honors legendary IFK Göteborg striker Filip "Svarte-Filip" Johansson.

FC Groningen, a Dutch club, announced a £2.5 million transfer for Luis Suárez, who had left Ajax.

Berg had a fruitful debut in the Netherlands. Despite the fact that he was not the top scorer in the Economy from 2007–08, he scored 18 goals for Groningen, assisting the Dutch team in their seventh-place finish.

Groningen remained the top of the Economist table in 2008-09 after five games played. Berg put on a good show as well. In 15 games, he scored 13 goals in 15 games. In a December game against Roda JC, he scored four goals.

Berg had agreed to a five-year deal with the club on July 17, 2009. It was a record fee paid for a Groningen player, according to the official FC Groningen website. Berg exchanged clubs for €10.5 million, according to Dagblad van het Noorden, a Dutch newspaper. In the summer of 2010, or 2011, the main stadium of Groningen, will host a friendly match between Groningen and Hamburg. Although the initial price of €9.5 million was too high for Hamburg, Berg's aspiration to return to the Bundesliga persuaded Groningen to complete the exchange. Berg scored his first goal for Hamburg in his first Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund, just 182 seconds after coming off the bench, a record in the club's history. Despite a promising start, Berg's debut season in the Bundesliga will not be a success, with him only scoring three more goals in 30 appearances.

PSV and Hamburg also agreed to a season-long loan agreement for Berg on July 17, 2010.

Berg made 13 appearances in the 2011–12 Bundesliga as a result of injuries and a lack of form, scoring once. Hamburger SV athletic director Frank Arnesen said on November 9, 2012, the club had to sell five players to raise funds after having invested heavily in new players in the previous summer, including Dutch superstar Rafael van der Vaart; one of these five players was expected to be Berg. Berg was linked with a return to his former team, IFK Göteborg, following these events.

Berg had traveled to Athens in order to sign with Panathinaikos on July 4th, 2013. Berg had signed a four-year deal with the club on July 8, 2013, Panathinaikos reported. As his team defeated Panetolikos on August 18, Berg scored his first goal with Panathinaikos on his debut appearance. Berg scored Panathinaikos' goal and missed a penalty as his team lost by a score of 2–1. Berg was the MVP in the 3–0 away victory over Olympiacos on March 2, 2014, with one goal and one assist for Danijel Pranji. This was the first away win in the Eternal Rivals' history. When Panathinaikos defeated Aris 4–1 at home this week, he scored a hat-trick.

Panathinaikos defeated PAOK in the Greek Cup final on April 26, 2014, beating rivals PAOK 4–1. In a 5–0 home victory over Ergotelis in the Superleague Greece on January 11, 2015, Berg scored his second hat-trick. He began his one-year contract on January 26, 2015, extending his contract until 2018. Berg scored his third hat-trick in a 4-3 home win on March 8th in a Panathinaikos-PAOK derby. Berg scored his seventh international goal on friendly against Iran on March 30, 2015.

Panathinaikos rivals PAOK wanted to €2 million for Berg on August 31, 2015, but the "Greens" turned it down. In addition, Marseille attempted to make a move for the Swedish striker before the deadline, but Panathinaikos' price tag put them off.

Berg was left ill on the 6th of September 2015 as he did not appear in the line-up for the game against Russia. Sweden lost 1–0 at the hands of Russia, with Berg making his appearance on the field for only 30 minutes as he began from the bench. After the final whistle, Berg requested first team football in the National Team, according to the Swedish media. "Ola Toivonen is a bit different player from me," the coach says. But the Panathinaikos striker underlined straight after the game, "I'm fairly certain that I want to play as I'm in a good shape." He scored the winning goal in the Greek Superleague's 10th day against Atromitos on November 7, 2015, marking his 50th game with the club in all competitions. Berg, who died on January 24, 2016, was his first goal in the Superleague. On March 6, 2016, the Swedish striker and supporters of Panathinaikos' favorite Berg made their 100th official appearances for the Greek club against Atromitos. He scored a brace against Iraklis for the Superleague on March 19, 2016. In his team's 6–1 win over Panthrakikos on April 17, 2016, Berg scored five times (23', 41', 5+2', 51', 6') in his team's last matchday for the 2015-2016 season. Berg, the scorer of two goals, helped Panathinaikos win the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play offs and is expected to qualify for the group stage after the Greens beat Danish Br'ndby IF 3–0 at Leoforos stadium on August 18.

Berg stepped into the vacant boots of Sweden national team captain Zlatan Ibrahimovia, just two minutes before the game against the Netherlands, as he capitalized on Kevin Strootman's defensive slippage to smash in from outside the box into the top left corner. He was the shooter of two goals on September 18, 2016, assisting the club in defeating PAS Giannina 4–0 home victory. It was his first goals for the 2016-2017 season. Berg's three-year deal came with a €1.1 million annual fee and a €10 million release clause on September 23, 2016. Panathinaikos holds 55% of Berg's property, Hamburger SV has 45%, and the remaining 10% belongs to the player. On 19 January, he scored two goals and helped the team win by 21-0 against Platanias, helping the club to win in the third place of Superleague. Panathinaikos announced on January 30, 2017 that Berg's deal for the extension of his contract will not be completed until the summer of 2019. In a Superleague 4–0 home victory over Panetolikos on February 12, he was the scorer of three goals. He was voted MVP of the match. With the Swedish international striker grabbing a hat-trick (pen), the Swedish striker grabbing a hat-trick (pen). Pen with an 18-inch diameter. Panathinaikos won 5–0 over struggling Veria (39's 41'). He was the top scorer of Superleague so far and was named MVP of the march. Panathinaikos striker Tony Wick scored his 24th goal of the season on March 11, beating his own record since joining the Greens. In Panathinaikos' 1–1 Superleague draw with Iraklis, the Swedish striker continues to be in excellent form. Berg scored for the third time in his "green" career in Panathinaikos' victory over Olympiacos on March 19th. In the away win 2–3 in the Athens derby on April 2, 2017, Berg scored twice against AEK Athens on 2 April 2. Panathinaikos defeated 1–0 Panionios at Leoforos Stadium on April 6, 2017, thanks to a penalty kick by Berg. It was the fifth consecutive game that the Swedish international scored. In a 2–0 home win over AEL on April 30, he scored his last goal of the season on a season-best scorer, winning the award for the first time in his Greek career.

Because of his four-game suspension, the Swedish striker will miss the remainder of Superleague play-offs on May 18th. The 31-year-old international and captain of the Greens displayed unprofessional conduct during their home match against PAOK (1–0), which was eventually called off by referee Giorgos Kominis at 55' and will not appear in the four remaining matches.

The Panathinaikos government turned down the first bid by Al Ain FC (€2.5–3 million) on a veteran Swedish striker on June 20th. The Greens are still owned 55% of the rights of a 31-year-old international (his former club, Hamburger SV, has the other 35 percent), but the club's current deal, which includes a buy-out clause, is expected to continue, while Berg has already agreed to sign a two (one) years' contract with Al Ain, with a salary of €3 million after taxes.

However, Al Ain FC reported the transfer was finalised on June 28, 2017, despite lengthy talks with Panathinaikos, the figure is estimated to be around €3 million. Berg, has committed to a two-year term, although there is still a way to renew. Nasser Al-Shamrani, a Saudi Arabia striker, has been called back to the squad. Marcus Berg, "unfortunately," Panathinaikos said, "Unfortunately, he left Panathinaikos because he felt that at that time, near the end of his career, he wanted to get a major financial benefit." During the talks, there were some misunderstandings. We'll all remember them as Marcus has offered Panathinaikos a lot. We wish him well in the action he took and wait for him if he decides to end his football career, but we wish him all the best.

Following an amazing season in UAE Pro-League, Berg was twice on target as his team advanced to the AFC Champions League's last 16 stages on April 16 with a landslide victory over Qatar's Al Rayyan SC. Al Ain crowned UAE Pro-League champions for the 13th time in their history on Sunday, defeating Al Nasr 4–0. In a thrilling 5–0 home win game against Al Dhafra FC on Thursday, netting four goals, helping his team win the 2017–18 UAE Pro-League as the top scorer of the season in his first season.

Al Ain defeated Al Ain 2–1, winning the UAE President's Cup for the second time in the country's 50th year. He scored on May 3rd, making use of a smartly executed volley pass by midfielder Omar Abdulrahman's second goal in a 2–1.

After a final 2–2 draw, Chris Farley scored on Monday, helping his team advance to the Club World Cup final after losing on penalties.

Krasnodar revealed on July 13, 2019 that the Swedish international will be signed until the summer of 2020, worth €1.9 million. He extended his Krasnodar contract for a year on June 15, 2020. Krasnodar finished third place and secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League's play-off round for the first time in his first season, with 9 in the league and 10 in all competitions.

In Krasnodar's first league game of the season, Berg scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season, a 3–0 victory over FC Ufa on September 9, 2020. Berg appeared in both matches of the Champions League play-off tournament against PAOK in September 2020, when Krasnodar defeated 4–2 on aggregate to guarantee qualification to the group stage for the first time in club history. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Rennes in the Champions League, the league's first victory in the competition, qualifying Krasnodar for the Europa League on December 2nd.

Berg would return to IFK Göteborg on a free transfer on March 22, 2021. He returned on July 20, 2021, after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.

International career

Berg started his international career with the Sweden U19 team, where he scored 3 goals in 8 games. He then went on to represent the Sweden U21 team, for whom he competed at the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship on home soil in Sweden. In the semi-finals by England, he was a standout player at the tournament, scoring 7 goals in four games. Berg was named Player of the Tournament after the tournament, and his 7 goals earned him the tournament's Golden Boot. His seven goals in the tournament set a new record, beating Alberto Gilardino's, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's, and Maceo Rigters' new joint record of four goals. Since Luca Waldschmidt equalled the record, it has been resurrectled.

Berg was first called to the Sweden senior team in February 2008, where he made his debut on the match by playing full 90 minutes as the friendly ended in a goalless draw. He was kicked out of the team later this year for the UEFA Euro 2008.

During Sweden's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Berg was called up regularly. In the 4–0 home victory over Malta on June 10, he scored his first goal for the team. In the final match day against Albania, he was on the score sheet, scoring his second goal in an eventual 4–1 victory, but not enough to guarantee Sweden a spot in the tournament. With 2 goals, he became Sweden's joint top goalscorer, alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovi and behind Olof Mellberg.

Berg made only two appearances in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying, both of them as replacements, with only 19 minutes on the field. He scored one goal in the last of the 6–0 home victory over San Marino over September 7, 2010. Sweden finished Group E as the runner-up, which was sufficient for a spot in the final tournament, which Berg did not qualify for.

Berg was in the first group C matches for the first time in 2014; he made only two appearances, both as replacement, with only one of them scoring for the first time in the 2–0 home win over Kazakhstan on September 11. Sweden finished second in Group C, guaranteeing them a spot in the second round after Portugal defeated them 42-0 on aggregate.

Berg scored two goals in Group G of UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying; the first came in the form of an opener in the 3–1 victory over Montenegro on June 14, 2015; the second came in the 0–2 victory over Liechtenstein on September 9th. Berg made two appearances on aggregate as Sweden defeated Denmark 4–3 on aggregate to secure a spot in the UEFA European Championship for the fifth straight edition.

Berg was named by manager Erik Hamrén for the UEFA Euro 2016, his first major tournament in the region, on May 11, 2016. On June 13th, he got off for 59 minutes against the Republic of Ireland, resulting in a 1–1 draw. Berg also appeared in the remaining matches as Sweden lost to both Italy and Belgium, causing the tournament's cancellation.

After the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovi, Berg was Sweden's top striker during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. On September 6, 2016, the first home draw against the Netherlands, he scored his first goal in the qualifiers. Sweden defeated Luxembourg 8–0 in their biggest victory in 79 years on October 7, 2017, earning a huge step forward to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals. Berg scored four goals on October 7th, 2017. It was also his 50th international appearance. Sweden climbed to second place in Group A with 19 points after naming Berg as the top goalcorer with 8 goals. Sweden defeated Italy 1–0, losing the game for the first time since 2006; Berg was praised for his defensive work in the second leg.

He was selected in Sweden's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia in May 2018. Berg appeared in all five games for Sweden, but failed to score as a result of England's demise in the quarter finals.

In a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Spain, Berg scored his 20th senior international goal for Sweden in a 1–1 draw. Berg served as Sweden's team captain for the first time on September 8, 2020, in a 2021-21 UEFA Nations League match against Portugal.

He was selected in Sweden's squad for UEFA Euro 2020 in May 2021. Following Sweden's opening game in Euro 2020 against Spain in Seville, Berg became the object of sever cyber bullying and hatred after missing a chance to score. The Swedish FA responded by notifying the police of the assault.

Berg resigned from international football on July 9, 2021. He played 90 caps for Sweden, scoring 24 goals.

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