Swedish · Hudiksvall, Sweden · Born 29 November 1969Tomas Brolin is a Swedish former footballer who was one of the standout players of the 1994 World Cup as Sweden finished third, and enjoyed a golden era at Parma winning multiple European trophies.
Tomas Brolin was named to the official All-Star Team of the 1994 World Cup after scoring three goals as Sweden reached the semi-finals — their best finish since 1958 — and at Parma was a key figure in one of the most successful spells in the Italian club's history, winning the 1992 Coppa Italia, the 1993 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and the 1995 UEFA Cup. He moved through GIF Sundsvall and IFK Norrköping before a breakout performance at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, scoring against Brazil, earned him a move to newly promoted Parma that year. Brolin became a fan favourite and central figure in Parma's golden era of the early 1990s, winning the 1992 Coppa Italia, the 1993 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup, and the 1995 UEFA Cup, while also reaching a second Cup Winners' Cup final in 1994, lost to Arsenal. He won Sweden's Guldbollen award as the country's best footballer in 1993 after a standout UEFA Euro 1992 campaign that included a memorable goal against England. Brolin entered the 1994 World Cup in the finest form of his career, and was central to Sweden's run to the semifinals — their best finish since 1958 — scoring three goals, including in both the quarterfinal win over Romania and the third-place playoff victory over Bulgaria, and was named to the tournament's official All-Star Team, a unique honour among Swedish players. A broken foot suffered on international duty later in 1994 disrupted his career momentum, and after further spells with Leeds United and Crystal Palace, he retired in 1998 at 28, having earned 47 caps and scored 27 goals for Sweden.
A standout performer as Sweden finished third at the 1994 World Cup, named to the tournament's All-Star Team
How They Played
Creative, technically gifted forward capable of playing as a striker or attacking midfielder
Lasting Impact
Widely regarded as one of Sweden's best-ever footballers at his peak, and a fan favourite during Parma's golden European era
Career Honours
- FIFA World Cup third place (1994)
- 1994 World Cup All-Star Team
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winner (1993, Parma)
- UEFA Super Cup winner (1993, Parma)
- UEFA Cup winner (1995, Parma)
- Coppa Italia winner (1992, Parma)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Näsvikens IK | 1984–1986 | — |
| GIF Sundsvall | 1987–1989 | — |
| IFK Norrköping | 1990–1990 | — |
| Parma | 1990–1995 | 133 |
| Leeds United | 1995–1997 | 19 |
| Crystal Palace | 1998–1998 | 13 |
Swedish Athletes