Iceland striker Albert Gudmundsson talks to The i Paper about his famous family tree
The Neville brothers on either flank of Manchester United’s defence. Erling Haaland making his father’s earlier English escapades look ordinary. The Premier League is littered with family tales to keep future generations filled with a huge sense of pride.
Another trying to follow in a relative’s famous footsteps is Iceland forward Albert Gudmundsson. Except for the in-demand striker, linked with numerous Premier League clubs, the kindred legacy looms larger than most others.
“I wouldn’t say that it puts pressure on me, being from my family,” Gudmundsson tells The i Paper from Iceland’s team hotel in Glasgow, as Iceland prepare for Friday’s friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park, before they face Northern Ireland next week.
“My father always had the idea that I could love football, so we got into it early and here I am.
“I wouldn’t call our family celebrities in Iceland. Generally in Iceland, people are nice and relaxed, we don’t crowd around sportspeople like in other countries. They might take one picture, but nothing more than that.
“My mother used to tell me all the stories about my great-grandfather, so I was aware from an early age what he did, what he was like.”
The Icelandic forward has scored 10 goals for his country in over 30 appearances (Photo: Getty)
Albert is the fourth generation of Gudmundsson to not only play for his country, but score for the Nordic nation of thunderclaps and lava.
His father was a former striker who once had trials at Preston North End under David Moyes, while his mother also plundered plenty of goals during her footballing career.
Goals run higher in the family tree, too. Albert’s grandfather, Ingi Bjorn Albertsson, is second in the Icelandic top flight’s all-time top goalscorer charts.
Even these exploits are overshadowed by the family’s true star, great-grandfather and namesake Albert Gudmundsson, who was the first Icelandic footballer to play overseas, becoming Arsenal’s second-ever foreigner. A later attempt to become his country’s president, which would have really completed an epic tale to gather round the fire for, unfortunately never came off.
“I was always around a football pitch and then when I was at home it was football on the TV,” Gudmundsson says.
“That made it easier to get where I am now. My son is not into football yet, he is only four, but give him time.
“Because my great-grandfather used to play for Arsenal, we used to watch them. When I was younger I was watching all the games in the Wenger era. Arsenal were dominating a lot then not quite as good, but they still played beautiful football and I loved that.
“I wouldn’t say I am trying to copy his career or anything – I don’t want to play in England or in France because he played there. I like the Premier League a lot, that’s why I want to play there. It is about my own path.”
It may not be long before Albert junior has his wish. Everton are the latest Premier League side to track his progress, with the 27-year-old looking for a new club having finished an injury-hit season on loan from Genoa at Fiorentina, where he still found his goal-scoring touch, when fit.
La Viola can make Gudmundsson’s stay a permanent one, but given they currently are without a coach, there is an air of uncertainty lingering over their recruitment process.
“I was getting fit and getting injured again all the time,” he continues. “I wanted to play a full season. I could see myself staying for longer, but that is not in my hands. It is up to them to decide whether they keep me or not.
“You are aware of the interest, I read the news just like every other football fan, because I am one. Some of it is total bulls**t, some of it is true. But I don’t get my hopes up until anything is concrete.
“The Premier League is definitely something that interests me. It is the best league in the world. Hopefully one day I will be playing there. It is just the tempo and the pace, how fast the game goes. All the stadiums are full, the fans are very close to the pitch and you can feel the atmosphere even watching the games on TV. Everyone can beat everyone at some point, it is so unpredictable, so that makes it an amazing league.”
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For now, the focus is on some British opponents on the international stage. Gudmundsson does admit, however, the lack of clarity over his future could become a distraction in the months ahead.
He does nonetheless have complete faith in those around him to get him the move to take his career to the next level, following in the footsteps of another famous Albert.
“Playing for the country is no problem, I will always give my best for Iceland if I am under contract for five years at a big club or I am a free agent,” Gudmundsson adds.
“But obviously it is strange not to know what will happen over the next few weeks. I know how to handle it – just stay calm and trust others. My agent knows what countries I am looking at, what clubs too.
“I think it is obvious I would like to keep playing in Italy or move to England. If other interesting opportunities came up in other countries, I would always take a look, but my agent knows where my focus should be.”