Scandinavian countries have always nurtured and exported excellent footballers exceptionally well.
Even before their surprising 1992 European Championship victory, Denmark had always produced technically gifted players who proved well suited to move to Europe's top clubs.
With a history stretching back 125 years, it's no surprise that European football is littered with examples of Danish players who left their mark.
Today, we'll look at the greatest Danish players of all time. Having played for all of Europe's top football nations, it's a list of exceptional players.
Here are the 7 greatest Danish footballers of all time.
7. Morten Olsen
Morten Olsen is a former Danish international with over 100 caps in Danish football history. Just 11 years after hanging up his boots, the former Anderlecht and Cologne striker would become the Danish national team coach, a position he held for 15 years.
Playing 531 league games in a career that saw the Dane play in Denmark, Belgium and Germany, Olsen was a member of the Danish squad that competed in the 1984 and 1988 European Championships, as well as the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Ever-present at club and country, Olsen should be on any list of the greatest Danish players of all time, thanks to his longevity both as a player and manager.
Olsen was able to play so many games in part due to his versatility; he could play anywhere from just in front of goalkeeper to wing position.
6. Brian Laudrup
Having a brother who happens to be one of the best Danish footballers of all time can't be easy; the endless comparisons and feeling that people wish you were the “other Laudrup” hangs over your head constantly. Or it would be if you weren't a great player.
Brian Laudrup, brother of Michael Laudrup, had an outstanding career, playing for some of the greatest teams in European history.
A versatile and tactically astute player, Laudrup could play as a midfielder, winger and center forward and excelled in all three roles.
Starting his career at Brondby, the future Denmark international would tour Europe for the next 13 seasons.
Brian Laudrup's resume is a who's who at some of the best clubs. From Bayern Munich, the Dane would have spells at Fiorentina and Milan before four excellent seasons in Scotland with Glasgow Rangers.
Laudrup would have an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea before moving back to Denmark with Copenhagen, before ending his career at Dutch giants Ajax.
A Danish 1st division, the DFL Supercup, a Serie A title and the Champions League with AC Milan, three Scottish titles and two domestic cups with Rangers, Laudrup won wherever he played.
Even his seven games at Chelsea saw the player win the UEFA Super Cup! And let's not forget the incredible story of Denmark's 1992 European Championship victory; it's not a bad career.
5. Allan Rodenkam Simonsen
One of the most prolific strikers of the 1970s, Allan Simonsen left Denmark at the age of 20 for Germany to play for Borussia Monchengladbach and has never looked back.
Despite being small for a forward, Simonsen was only 1,65 m tall; the striker would go on to score 202 league goals in his career.
After seven successful years in Germany, Simonsen moved to Spain, joining Barcelona in 1982. The Danish international quickly established himself in Spain and was Barcelona's top scorer in his first season.
Despite his success with the club, Simonsen was forced out when Barcelona signed an Argentine player with some skill.
As only two foreign players were allowed to apply, Simonsen had to leave, especially since the Argentine player was named Diego Armando Maradona. A shock move to Charlton Athletic in the former English Second Division followed.
Simonsen chose the club as he wanted to play without stress or worry, but he would eventually move back to his childhood club VB after just one season in England.
The excellent striker has spent his last six seasons as a professional player in Denmark doing what he does best; scoring goals.
4. Jon Dahl Tomasson
Another striker with an excellent pedigree, Jon Dahl Tomasson was an experienced center forward with superb shooting and excellent positioning.
Tomasson played for some of Europe's biggest clubs and had spells in Holland, England, Germany, Italy and Spain, scoring 180 goals.
Despite having the pace of a wounded duck, Tomasson worked like a dog and had the ability to find space and give himself time to shoot.
Coupled with his unfailing ability to hit the target, the Danish striker has built a career that has seen his services sought after across European football.
On the international stage, Tomasson scored 52 goals in 112 appearances for Denmark and was one of the most important players in the national team.
While the striker hasn't won any trophies with his nation, he certainly has for his clubs; a Dutch Eredivisie with Feyenoord in 1999 was followed by a Serie A and Champions League with AC Milan in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
After retiring in 2011, Tomasson moved into management and, after spells in the Netherlands and Sweden, the legendary striker is now head coach of Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.
It's not a huge leap of imagination to guess that one day we'll see Tomasson in charge of the Danish national team.
3. Christian Eriksen
One of the most recognizable and talented players that Denmark has produced for years, Christian Eriksen, is a creative midfielder with superb skills that have seen the Danish international star at teams such as Ajax, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Manchester United.
After breaking into the Ajax squad in 2010, Eriksen soon started to catch the attention of other top European clubs; his passing range, intelligence and ability to dictate play from midfield made him a prime target.
After just three seasons, Eriksen was signed by Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and quickly became a key player for the London club.
A superb free-kick specialist, Eriksen scored 51 goals for Spurs in 226 league games, making him one of the most potent midfielders in the Premier League.
Despite constant speculation that the Danish player of the year would go to an even bigger club, the Dane stayed at Tottenham for seven seasons.
Allowing his contract to run out, Eriksen joined Serie A powerhouse Inter Milan in 2024 and, despite a poor season, contributed to the club's league victory.
It was the first time Juventus had not won the league in nine seasons, and it looked like Eriksen had finally settled down in Italy. Unfortunately, the terrible on-field heart attack at Euro 2024 soon meant the player's career was once again on another path.
In the first game of Euro 2024, Denmark was playing against Finland and, in the 42nd minute of the game, Eriksen suddenly fainted on the pitch.
Immediate medical attention meant that the Danish star received the necessary aid, but his heart attack meant that the player did not play for months.
A heart implant prevented Eriksen from playing in Italy, so the player returned to England with newly promoted Brentford when he recovered.
One excellent season caught Manchester United's attention, and the rest, as they say, is history. Eriksen's career is now flourishing again at the highest level, and the player appears to be back in top form.
2. Peter Schmeichel
There aren't many football fans who haven't heard of Great Dane Peter Schmeichel, one of the most successful Danish players of all time.
After a decade learning his trade as a goalkeeper in Denmark, Schmeichel was signed by Manchester United, with Alex Ferguson seeing the potential in the Danish goalkeeper.
It helped that Schmeichel was huge, loud and confident, attributes a United goalkeeper needs to succeed.
Schmeichel had no qualms about yelling at his defense, even when the defenders were seasoned internationals like Steve Bruce and Garry Pallister.
By the time Schmeichel retired, he had cemented his place in history as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time and one of the most decorated Premier League players of the era.
Winning five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup and the Champions League, Schmeichel made United a more solid defensive team. One of the greatest players of all time and the most capped player for Denmark.
1. Michael Laudrup
The undisputed greatest Danish player of all time could only have been a player. Michael Laudrup, nicknamed the “Prince of Denmark”, was among the most stylish, creative and successful footballers of any generation.
Laudrup had superb technique, was quick on or off the ball and had unsurpassed passing range.
In addition to being one of the most complete midfielders of all time, Laudrup was also one of the best team players of all time.
His excellent passing range meant teammates didn't have to do anything but run towards the opposing goal, and Laudrup would find them somehow with an incredible pass.
The Danish international had it all; he also won everything. A Serie A and an Intercontinental Cup with Juventus, five consecutive La Liga titles, four with Barcelona and one with Real Madrid.
Laudrup also won the European Cup with Barcelona, the UEFA Super Cup and the Dutch Eredivisie with Ajaz; If he had a trophy, Laudrup won.
Laudrup was so good that the Danish FA created a new award, Best Danish Player of All Time, and put eight potential winners on the voting list.
Unsurprisingly, Laudrup won 58% of the vote, and rightfully so; he is arguably the greatest Danish player of all time.
