Rúrik Gíslason is an Icelandic footballer known for his role as a midfielder.
He started his professional career with HK Kópavogur before moving to Charlton Athletic in 2005.
Rúrik was part of Iceland's squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Rúrik Gíslason is an Icelandic footballer who began his journey in the sport with HK Kópavogur, where he made his senior debut after a youth stint at R.S.C. Anderlecht. His professional career took off in 2005 when he signed with Charlton Athletic, although he did not make any first-team appearances. He later played for several clubs, including Viborg FF, Odense Boldklub, and F.C. Copenhagen, showcasing his skills as a midfielder.
International Career
Rúrik's international career is marked by his participation in various youth teams, including the Iceland national under-17, under-19, and under-21 teams. He made his debut for the Iceland men's national football team in 2009 and was part of the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he gained significant attention.
Transition to Entertainment and Personal Life
After announcing his retirement from football in November 2020, Rúrik transitioned into entertainment, winning the German TV show "Let’s Dance" in 2021. His popularity surged after the 2018 World Cup, where his Instagram following skyrocketed by 250,000 after a match against Argentina. Rúrik has also ventured into acting, appearing in the film "Cop Secret" and the Netflix comedy "Eat Pray Bark." Additionally, he was involved in politics as a candidate for the Independence Party in Iceland's parliamentary elections in 2016 and 2017.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
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© Please attribute as: "Wikipedia / Tobias Klenze" (user page link optional). Remember that you must also mention the license (and link to it). So for example, if this picture is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0, the following is correct: Image: Wikipedia / Tobias Klenze / CC-BY-SA 4.0. The license must be a link! · CC BY-SA 4.0 
© Please attribute as: "Wikipedia / Tobias Klenze" (user page link optional). Remember that you must also mention the license (and link to it). So for example, if this picture is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0, the following is correct: Image: Wikipedia / Tobias Klenze / CC-BY-SA 4.0. The license must be a link! · CC BY-SA 4.0 
© Voltmetro · CC BY-SA 3.0 
© Voltmetro · CC BY-SA 3.0
Career & Clubs
Rúrik started his career with HK Kópavogur in his youth. Following a youth stint at R.S.C. Anderlecht, the then-champions of Belgium, he made his senior debut with HK Kópavogur. At the end of August 2005, Rúrik signed for Charlton Athletic, but failed to make an appearance for Charlton's first team. On 10 November 2020, Rúrik announced his retirement from football. He appeared on series 14 of the German TV programme Let’s Dance and won the competition.
International
Scores and results list Iceland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rúrik goal.
In 2011, Rúrik was chosen as part of the Iceland U21 squad to represent Iceland at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in Denmark. The striker was named on the bench for the opening game against Belarus. In May 2018 he was named in Iceland's 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
- Club
- HK Kópavogur (2005–2005)
- Club
- F.C. Copenhagen (2012–2015)
- Club
- Viborg FF (2007–2009)
- Club
- Odense Boldklub (2009–2012)
- Club
- Charlton Athletic F.C. (2005–2007)
- Club
- 1. FC Nürnberg (2015–)
- Club
- Iceland national under-17 football team (2003–2004)
- Club
- Iceland national under-19 football team (2005–2007)
- Club
- Iceland national under-21 football team (2005–2011)
- Club
- Iceland men's national football team (2009–)
- League
- 2. Bundesliga
- National team
- Iceland
Personal
Rúrik was a candidate for the centre-right Independence Party in the 2016 Icelandic parliamentary election and 2017 Icelandic parliamentary election. After Iceland's 2018 FIFA World Cup game against Argentina, Rúrik's Instagram profile went viral, as his followers increased by 250,000 after the game. His follower count was right over one million in June 2018, more than triple the size of Iceland's current population. In 2021, Rúrik appeared in the action-comedy film Cop Secret, directed by Hannes Þór Halldórsson. In 2021, he won Let's Dance in Germany with Renata Lusin. Rúrik appeared in the Netflix comedy film Eat Pray Bark, released in 2026.
Clubs
- Iceland men's national football team2009current
- 1. FC Nürnberg2015current
- Iceland national under-17 football team2003–2004
- Charlton Athletic F.C.2005–2007
- HK Kópavogur2005–2005
- Iceland national under-19 football team2005–2007
- Iceland national under-21 football team2005–2011
- Viborg FF2007–2009
- Odense Boldklub2009–2012
- F.C. Copenhagen2012–2015
Played together with
- Aaron BarnesCharlton Athletic F.C.
Abdelhamid Sabiri1. FC Nürnberg · 2016–2017
Abdul RazakCharlton Athletic F.C. · 2012–2012
Aboubakar KeitaF.C. Copenhagen · 2016–2019- Abraham LøkinOdense Boldklub · 1985–1985
- Abraham LøkinOdense Boldklub · 1985–1986
Achim Beierlorzer1. FC Nürnberg · 1986–1988- Adam GrossCharlton Athletic F.C. · 2004–2005
Adam Hloušek1. FC Nürnberg · 2012–2014
Adam Zreľák1. FC Nürnberg · 2017–2021
Ade AzeezCharlton Athletic F.C. · 2012–2014- Adebowale Ogungbure1. FC Nürnberg · 2000–2001
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Rúrik Gíslason is an Icelandic actor and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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