Olof Mellberg

All Hail King Olof!

Older than most of our hotties (30 is ancient in the world of football), Mellberg has long been one of our favorites but was long omitted for being a bit too hot to handle. Our interest in the scruffy defender was rekindled when we heard news of his three-year deal with Juventus. After seven seasons, Mellberg is finally free from Aston Villa, and is looking to give it his all in Italy. We’re curious to see how the towering thug’s leap-before-you-look style will play with the calculated moves of his Italian teammates, but we’re simply pleased with any Olof exposure we can get. This rough and tumble Swede—despite the horrid flesh-colored beard, and his tendency for unprovoked violence—delivers on the pitch and is an undisputed hottie. No matter what his age, Mellberg’s always all wound up and ready to go…and that’s what we like to hear.

 

A lovely and shirtless Mellberg.

 

 

Name: Olof Mellberg

DOB: September 3, 1977

Place of Birth: Gullspång, Sweden

Position: Defender

Team: Juventus

Height: 6′ 1″

Weight: 183 lbs

 

Star Sign: Mellberg doesn’t exactly fit the Virgo mold, unless you get all Freudian on it—which of course, one should. Virgos are typically able to reason clearly, resolve issues, but are seemingly emotionally cold, removing them from relationships. Maybe Mellberg is calm and withdrawn in his personal life, but Olof’s never been one to hide his feelings on the pitch—demonstrated during a 2002 World Cup practice outburst when he slide tackled and then took down his Sweden teammate and fellow Soccer Hottie Freddie Ljundberg—as captured below on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.

Virgos are affectionate husbands and fathers, and though Mellberg’s not married to baby momma Carolina Kihl, they have been together over twelve years and live with their two children, a daughter, Saga, and a son, John. If that doesn’t work out any Leos or Sagittarians willing to step in and tame the beast may discover a diamond in the rough, as they’re rumored to take a romance to new heights and are better as subordinates than leaders. Nice!

Carolina Kihl and Olof Mellberg.

Beckham Factor: Christened ‘King Olof’ by his fans, the Swedish International ruled his country and team as captain, just like our sexy Becks. In 2002, Sweden’s LGBT magazine, QX agreed with us, nominating Mellberg among Sweden’s 20 Sexiest Men, declaring him ‘Sweden’s David Beckham.’ It’s easy to see why! Chiseled good looks, bleach blond hair, piercing blue eyes, the taught muscled frame; there’s no arguing this rugged hottie has a little of the Beckham something-something, though he’s certainly not as polished. His closely shorn Grizzly Adams beard makes him look a bit psycho-killer qu’est-ce que c’est, but that just makes him all the more appealing to girls who love a bad boy. Though soccernet has called him ‘strapping,’ a more appropriate adjective might be fierce. He commands the pitch from the rear, pillaging like a Viking, and taking no prisoners.

Tag Team: Mellberg recently declared, “competition is not a problem for me,” but we deem Olof best tackled solo. In a pinch we’d grab Ljundberg, but could do without the drama the two share. Mellberg has defended the tension saying, “Fredrik is a great guy, I get along with him really well. I usually have my worst fights with the people I care about the most, so maybe that’s why.” Sounds like this tag team is more interested in one another, but anyone entering into an Olof entanglement is in for quite a wild ride.

Mellberg diddles Wayne Rooney.

Sugar Daddy: Rising relatively unknown from Spanish team Racing Satander, Mellberg earned bank when Aston Villa signed him in 2001 for an astonishing £5.6 million, becoming the most expensive Swedish player to ever join the club. In his very first season he made 36 appearances. When his contract was extended through 2008, it seemed like Mellberg would always defend Villa, wearing their ever flattering claret and blue kit. But after seven years, at the expiration of his contract, Olof made the move to Juventus—though not before giving away Mellberg shirts emblazoned with, “Thanks 4 Your Support” to 3100 Away fans, who came out to see him play for his last for Villa. About the move to Italy, Mellberg was understandably flattered saying, “They came in for me at an early stage and for a big club like that to show a lot of interest in you, I felt it was an opportunity for me to try something different at the age and stage of my career.” His debut was less than stellar, but this old dog has some new tricks, yet.

Recent Accolade: Before leaving for Juventus, Mellberg helped Villa qualify for the European Championships. In 2003, Aftonbladet and the Swedish Football Association declared him the best Swedish footballer, awarding him the Guldbollen (“the Golden Ball”) award. Also, on August 19th, 2006, Mellberg had the esteemed honor of scoring the first competitive goal at the newly built Emirate Stadium, when he headed the ball past seasoned goalie Jens Lehmann, in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Project: Seemingly strong and able, in point of fact Mellberg is a bit fragile, and prone to injuries. His largest struggle is making it through a season unharmed. Leaving the loyal fans of Villa Park behind, the aging athlete faces the judgment of loyal Juve fans—over 170 million worldwide—and sustaining the reputation he has earned. After starting in late August, Olof noted, “It’s all been good so far.”Let’s hope it continues.

A bloodied Mellberg.

Playtime: Discerning fans know that Mellberg is one of soccer’s hottest hotties—even surpassing Beckham’s beauty on some days, but he’d rather be known by his reputation. Unfortunately, the soccer god has been blessed with unmistakeable Norse good looks, and is easily ogled among any sea of players. When he plays for Juve however, we’ll try to concentrate on his footwork, and less on what’s going on beneath that black and white stripped kit.

Tags: Aston Villa, Juventus, Olof Mellberg, Virgo