Fredrik Aursnes

Fredrik Aursnes is a versatile, hard-running central midfielder for Benfica and Norway, prized for reading the game well and tucking in defensively as well as creating. The Hareid native climbed steadily from local side Hødd, where he sensationally won the Norwegian Cup at 16, through a 2019 league title with Molde and a 2022 Conference League final with Feyenoord (he played the full 90 in the loss to Roma) before his €13m move to Benfica. Having effectively been retired from international football since March 2024, he made a much-debated U-turn in February 2026, declaring himself available without having played a single qualifier — then walked straight back into the side, starting the 4-1 World Cup opener against Iraq.