In modern football, loyalty is a rare commodity, and players who bridge different eras of a club’s history are even rarer. The September 21, 2013 matchday programme dedicated its main feature to Swedish midfielder Rasmus Lindgren, celebrating a massive milestone: he had just become the 46th player in history to play 100 Eredivisie matches for FC Groningen.
The interview is a beautiful trip down memory lane. When asked about his very first match, the 28-year-old captain smiles. “I remember it well,” he says. “I had only been in the Netherlands for a day or four and made my debut in the home match against RBC Roosendaal. I came on for Erik Nevland. That was still in the Oosterpark!” Lindgren’s career trajectory makes him a living bridge between the gritty, romantic days of the old stadium and the modern, corporate era of the Euroborg.
He goes on to recall his favorite match from those 100 appearances: a legendary home game against Vitesse. “We were 1-3 down with ten minutes left, and we won 4-3. Legendary. With goals from Luis Suarez.” Yet, despite the nostalgia, Lindgren displays the ruthless self-criticism of a true captain, admitting his recent form hasn’t been good enough. “I know I can do much better… I take that very personally,” he confesses. It is this exact mentality that made him a fan favorite.
A Look into the Future
Rasmus Lindgren did not just stop at 100 matches. He would go on to cement his legacy as one of the most important and respected foreign players in the history of FC Groningen. His leadership was instrumental in the club’s historic 2015 KNVB Cup victory. After finally leaving the club in 2016 to return to Sweden, he didn’t sever ties; his deep connection to the region eventually brought him back to Groningen in a coaching and scouting capacity. This 2013 interview captures him right in the middle of his journey from a young loanee at the Oosterpark to an eternal club icon.