"Three generations of Icelandic internationals stem from the offbeat Gudjohnsen clan, reminiscent of their eccentric forebear"

The Gudjohnsen Brothers: A Legacy in the Making

The world of football has seen many families with a rich history in the sport, but few can match the pedigree of the Gudjohnsen family. Hailing from Iceland, the brothers Sveinn Aron, Andri Lucas, Daniel Tristan, and Arnor, along with their father Eidur, have left an indelible mark on the game across Europe.

All of the brothers have passed through the hallowed grounds of La Masia, Barcelona's renowned youth academy, and some have even graced Real Madrid's Castilla. Eidur, a former striker who ended his career at the Euro 2016 quarter-finals against France, where he captained the Icelandic team, set the stage for his sons to follow in his footsteps.

Sveinn Aron, the eldest son, currently plays in Norway for Sarpsborg and has 20 selections and 2 goals for Iceland. Daniel Tristan, the youngest, started his career with Malmo in Sweden and has one selection for Iceland. Andri Lucas, another son of Eidur, plays for Blackburn Rovers in England and has 34 selections and 9 goals for Iceland.

The family scene of a father being replaced by his son in a match for Iceland occurred 29 years earlier, when Arnor Gudjohnsen was replaced by Eidur Smari at the 62nd minute. This unique occurrence was repeated more recently, with Andri Lucas making his debut at the 69th minute against Azerbaijan on Friday.

Arnor, aged 24, is a half-brother to Eidur and also an attacker. He had 73 selections and 14 goals for Iceland. Daniel Tristan's debut replaced him by four years. Eidur Gudjohnsen's football career ended at the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, but his talent lives on in his three sons and a daughter.

Interestingly, none of the Gudjohnsen brothers—Arnór, Eiður, Sveinn Aron, Andri, or Daníel—played for Iceland during Euro 2024 qualification. Based on available public information, no younger Gudjohnsen brother is currently active in the national team for these qualifiers.

Despite this, the brothers continue to aim for a career more successful than their father's. Daniel Tristan, for instance, won the title with Malmo in 2023. Eidur Gudjohnsen, Arnor's son, had 88 caps and 26 goals for Iceland and played for AS Monaco in 2009.

The Gudjohnsen brothers are working towards passing on the legacy of the Gudjohnsens to the Icelandic jersey. Arnor's biggest regret is that he and Eidur never played together for Iceland. Seeing a father replaced by his son was a first in the history of world selections, and it seems the Gudjohnsen brothers are determined to make their own history.