Bengt Erik Markus Berg (born 17 August 1986) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Krasnodar and the Sweden national team. Beginning his footballing career in Sweden with IFK Goteborg in the early 2000s, he has gone on to play professionally in the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. A full international since 2008, Berg has won more than 80 caps for his country and represented Sweden at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Berg is renowned for his heading ability, first touches, and being able to shoot and pass with both his right and left foot. He is also known for his tactical dribbles and scoring from unusual angles.
Berg played for IFK Goteborg until the 2007 summer and put forth an attracting performance throughout his final season. On 10 August 2007, Dutch club Groningen signed Berg. Although he was not the top scorer in the Eredivisie in 2007–08, he scored 18 goals for Groningen, helping the Dutch outfit to a seventh-place finish. On 17 July 2009, German Bundesliga side Hamburger SV confirmed that Berg had signed a five-year contract with the club. Despite the promising start, his debut season in the Bundesliga would not become a success. On 17 July 2010, PSV and Hamburger SV agreed to a loan deal, with the result that Berg played for PSV the 2010–11 season. After returning from his loan spell at PSV, Berg only made 13 appearances the 2011–12 Bundesliga due to injuries and continued lack of form, scoring once. On 4 July 2013, it was revealed that Berg had travelled to Athens in order to sign with Panathinaikos. He has earned 99 appearances and scored 65 goals. On 28 June 2017, Al Ain FC confirmed Berg's move was finalised following lengthy negotiations with Panathinaikos.
Berg was first approached to the Sweden senior team in February 2008. Berg was called-up regularly during Sweden's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. At 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, Berg was part of the team only in the first Group C matches. On 11 May 2016, Berg was called by manager Erik Hamren for the UEFA Euro 2016 which was his first major tournament. Berg was Sweden's main striker during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification after the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. At second round, Sweden faced Italy and eliminated them 1–0, returning at the World Cup for the first time since 2006; Berg was distinguished for his defensive work rate in the second leg.
On 15 October 2019, Berg scored his 20th senior international goal for Sweden in a 1–1 draw in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying game against Spain. On 8 September 2020 in a 2020–21 UEFA Nations League game against Portugal, Berg served as Sweden's team captain for the first time. |
