Andreas Schjelderup, with three assists at the World Cup, is one of the sensations of the tournament. His rise in quality was forged in Lisbon under the guidance of José Mourinho, who demanded more aggression and power from him.
Andreas Schjelderup, 21, has become one of the revelations of the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The Norwegian winger has accumulated three assists so far in the tournament and was key in the knockout match against Brazil, where he provided two goals for Erling Haaland. But his explosion is not a matter of chance: behind it is the silent work of José Mourinho in Lisbon.
The Portuguese coach, who manages Benfica, spotted in Schjelderup a raw but incomplete talent. He came from Danish club Nordsjaelland, where he stood out for his freedom and dribbling, but in Portugal, he encountered a more tactical and demanding style of football. Mourinho asked him for more pressing without the ball, more presence in the box, and the ability to maintain effort for 90 minutes. The result is a complete footballer who now shines at the World Cup.
The Camp in Marbella That Forged the Chemistry
Before the World Cup, Norwegian coach Ståle Solbakken gave his players two weeks off. Schjelderup and his teammate Antonio Nusa, also 21, decided not to rest. "Hey, what if we go to Marbella?" Schjelderup suggested. They knew from Haaland that the Marbella Football Center offered advanced methodology to prepare the body for the heat and humidity they would encounter in the United States.
There, they spent 15 days of intense work, with many conversations in their room. Both knew they could compete for the same position, but they understood they needed each other. Against Brazil, fate crossed their paths: Schjelderup came on for Nusa, who was not having his best game, and revolutionised the match with two assists.
It helped me take a big step forward, both offensively and defensively, and to gain power in my game to be able to last the 90 minutes and perform throughout the match
Schjelderup thus acknowledged Mourinho's influence. The process was not immediate: he had to earn every minute and overcome a very tough personal episode after being convicted in Norway for forwarding a sexual video involving a minor. The case cast doubt on his future at Benfica, but Mourinho refused to let him go in the January transfer market.
The Turning Point at the Bernabéu
The change of trend came in the Champions League against Real Madrid. Schjelderup scored two goals and began to play with more authority. In 2026, he scored eight goals and provided three assists with Benfica, leading the team in assists, clear chances created, xA, and recoveries in the opponent's half. Just the type of footballer Mourinho had envisioned.
The World Cup has introduced Andreas Schjelderup to the wider public, but only the Portuguese had seen it coming. His market value has risen from 10 to 30 million euros. For the Málaga fan, the story has a local twist: the Marbella camp, that corner of the Costa del Sol that remains a refuge for stars, was the setting where two young players forged the chemistry that later took down Brazil. Norway's next challenge will be in the semi-finals, and Schjelderup is already one of the standout names of the tournament.
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