Jari Litmanen

Jari Litmanen

Jari Olavi Litmanen (born 20 February 1971) is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or forward. Considered one of Finland's greatest ever players, he has been described as "the Finnish Maradona". Litmanen played for Reipas Lahti, HJK Helsinki, Malmö FF, Ajax, Barcelona, Liverpool, Hamburger SV, Fulham, Hansa Rostock, and Lahti. A playmaker known for his technique, vision, passing, and goalscoring, he is the all-time top goalscorer for the Finland national team, with 32 goals in 137 appearances.

Litmanen began his career with Reipas Lahti, before moving to HJK Helsinki in 1991. He spent three seasons with HJK, winning the Finnish Championship twice and the Finnish Cup once. In 1992, he was named Finnish Footballer of the Year. In 1993, he moved to Swedish club Malmö FF, where he spent one season, winning the Swedish Championship.

In 1994, Litmanen moved to Dutch club Ajax, where he spent six seasons. With Ajax, he won the Dutch Eredivisie four times, the KNVB Cup twice, the Johan Cruyff Shield three times, the UEFA Champions League once, the UEFA Super Cup once, and the Intercontinental Cup once. He was named Dutch Footballer of the Year twice. In 1995, he was named the UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player.

In 2001, Litmanen moved to Spanish club Barcelona, where he spent one season. With Barcelona, he won the La Liga title and the Supercopa de España. In 2002, he moved to English club Liverpool, where he spent one season. With Liverpool, he won the FA Cup and the League Cup.

In 2003, Litmanen moved to German club Hamburger SV, where he spent two seasons. With Hamburger SV, he won the DFB-Pokal. In 2005, he moved to English club Fulham, where he spent one season. In 2006, he moved to German club Hansa Rostock, where he spent one season. In 2007, he returned to Lahti, where he spent one season.

Litmanen retired from professional football in 2008. He is the all-time top goalscorer for the Finland national team, with 32 goals in 137 appearances. He represented Finland at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 2000 UEFA European Championship, and the 2004 UEFA European Championship.

Litmanen has been praised for his talent and skill. In 2004, he was named one of the 100 greatest living footballers by Pelé. In 2007, he was inducted into the Finnish Football Hall of Fame.