View source for Mikael Forssell

{{short description|Finnish footballer (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name                = Mikael Forssell
| image               = Forssell signs autographs Weiden.jpg
| caption             = Forssell during [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]'s pre-season tour, 2004
| fullname            = Mikael Kaj Forssell<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|6656|access-date=13 October 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1981|3|15|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman/>
| birth_place         = [[Steinfurt]], [[West Germany]]
| height              = 1.84 m<ref name=Palloliitto/>
| position            = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub         = [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]] (assistant coach)
| clubnumber          = 
| youthyears1         = 1994–1997
| youthclubs1         = [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]]
| years1  = 1997–1998 
| clubs1  = [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]]                 
| caps1  = 17 
| goals1  = 1
| years2  = 1998–2005 
| clubs2  = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]                          
| caps2  = 33 
| goals2  = 5
| years3  = 2000      
| clubs3  = → [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (loan)   
| caps3  = 13 
| goals3  = 3
| years4  = 2000–2001 
| clubs4  = → [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (loan)   
| caps4  = 39 
| goals4  = 13
| years5  = 2003      
| clubs5  = → [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]] (loan)             
| caps5  = 12 
| goals5  = 7
| years6  = 2003–2004 
| clubs6  = → [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan) 
| caps6  = 32 
| goals6  = 17
| years7  = 2004–2005 
| clubs7  = → [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan) 
| caps7  = 4  
| goals7  = 0
| years8  = 2005–2008 
| clubs8  = [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]          
| caps8  = 65 
| goals8  = 13
| years9  = 2008–2011 
| clubs9  = [[Hannover 96]]                                   
| caps9  = 44 
| goals9  = 7
| years10 = 2011–2012 
| clubs10 = [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]                
| caps10 = 15 
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2012–2014 
| clubs11= [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]]                  
| caps11 = 44 
| goals11 = 21 
| years12 = 2014–2015 
| clubs12= [[VfL Bochum]]                                     
| caps12 = 16 
| goals12 = 3 
| years13 = 2016      
| clubs13 = [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]]                  
| caps13 = 19 
| goals13 = 3
| years14 = 2017
| clubs14= [[HIFK Fotboll|HIFK]]                 
| caps14 = 25
| goals14 = 8 
| totalcaps = 383 | totalgoals = 101
| nationalyears1      = 1999–2014
| nationalteam1       = [[Finland national football team|Finland]]
| nationalcaps1       = 87
| nationalgoals1      = 29
| manageryears1 = 2019–2021
| managerclubs1 = [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]] (youth)
| manageryears2 = 2024–
| managerclubs2 = [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]] (assistant)
| medaltemplates =
{{Medal|Team|[[HJK Helsinki]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[Finnish League Cup]]|[[Finnish League Cup|1997]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[Veikkausliiga]]|[[1997 Veikkausliiga|1997]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[Finnish League Cup]]|[[Finnish League Cup|1998]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[Finnish Cup]]|[[1998 Finnish Cup|1998]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[Veikkausliiga]]|[[2013 Veikkausliiga|2013]]}}
{{Medal|Team|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[Football League Championship]]|[[2006–07 Football League Championship|2007]]}}
| club-update         = 
| nationalteam-update = 
}}
'''Mikael Kaj Forssell''' (born 15 March 1981) is a Finnish former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|striker]].<ref name="Palloliitto">{{cite web|url=http://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten-maajoukkue/pelaajat/mikael-forssell |title=Mikael Forssell |language=fi |access-date=11 June 2013 |publisher=Suomen Palloliitto (Football Association of Finland) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803235949/http://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten-maajoukkue/pelaajat/mikael-forssell |archive-date=3 August 2013 }}</ref> He is currently working as an assistant coach of [[HJK Helsinki]], having previously worked as a youth coach for the club.<ref>[https://www.hjk.fi/artikkelit/miehet/mikael-forssell-hjkn-a-junioreiden-valmentajaksi/ Mikael Forssell HJK:n A-junioreiden valmentajaksi], hjk.fi, 13 September 2019</ref>

Forssell began his professional career in 1997 for [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]], having progressed through the team's youth teams, but he only remained at the club for a single season, making 17 league appearances, before he moved to England to join [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in 1998. He never broke into the Chelsea team, making 33 league appearances in seven years, and spent two loan spells at [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], one at [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]], and two at [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]. He switched permanently to the latter club in 2005, but injury problems restricted him to 65 league appearances in three seasons. He joined German side [[Hannover 96]] in 2008 on a free transfer, but once again struggled with form and injury problems, and he left the club in 2011, having made 44 league appearances. This was followed by an unsuccessful season back in England, this time with [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]; 15 league games failed to yield a single goal. Forssell returned to HJK in October 2012.

Forssell made his full international debut for Finland in 1999, and was a regular player for his country for the next 15 years. He earned 87 caps for his country, and scored 29 goals, making him Finland's sixth most capped player and second highest goalscorer.

In 2022, Forssell was named in the HJK Hall of Fame.<ref>[https://www.hjk.fi/artikkelit/miehet/mikael-forssell-hjkn-hall-of-fameen/ Mikael Forssell HJK:n Hall of Fameen], hjk.fi, 2 October 2022</ref>

==Club career==
Born in [[Steinfurt]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.muensterschezeitung.de/lokales/steinfurt/lokalsport/Mikael-Forssell-der-Fussballstar-aus-Steinfurt;art1003,330441 |title=Mikael Forssell, der Fußballstar aus Steinfurt|publisher=Münstersche Zeitung |last = Von Holthaus | first = Marius|date=12 August 2008 |access-date=30 May 2011 | language = de}}</ref> Germany, and considered one of the most talented Finnish footballers of all time, Forssell made his [[Veikkausliiga]] debut for [[HJK Helsinki|HJK]] at the age of just 16.<ref name="Palloliitto"/>

===Chelsea===
His goal-scoring form for Finland's youth teams made him a target for a host of Europe's top clubs, and in 1998, the 17-year-old [[Forward (association football)|striker]] was snapped up by [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]<ref name="en.eufo.de">{{cite web |url=http://en.eufo.de/index/squad/chelsea-fc/1998-99 |title=Chelsea FC squad 1998–1999 |publisher=en.eufo.de |access-date=26 May 2012 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108130235/http://en.eufo.de/index/squad/chelsea-fc/1998-99 |url-status=dead }}</ref> who at the time were managed by [[Gianluca Vialli]]. He made his debut as a substitute in a league game against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in January 1999<ref name="Helsingin Sanomat international edition">{{cite web |url=http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20030218IE4 |title=Factfile: Mikael Forssell, striker |publisher=Helsingin Sanomat |access-date=2 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027203611/http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20030218IE4 |archive-date=27 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and then three days later, Forssell made his first start for the club when he scored two goals against [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in the [[FA Cup]].<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-oxford-buried-by-forssell-1068720.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-oxford-buried-by-forssell-1068720.html |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Oxford buried by Forssell |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=8 August 2012 | date = 4 February 1999 | first = Steve | last = Tongue}}</ref> His first league goal came three weeks later, when he scored against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]].<ref name="sporting-heroes.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=36809 |title=Mikael Forssell: Biography (part 1) |first=Kelvin |last=Barker |work=Football Heroes |publisher=Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref> However, when Chelsea signed [[Chris Sutton]] for £10&nbsp;million, Forssell was loaned out twice to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]<ref name="Mikael Forssell">{{cite web |url=http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/index.php?id=4036 |title=Mikael Forssell |publisher=Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896 e.V |access-date=8 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130206173453/http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/index.php?id=4036 |archive-date=6 February 2013}}</ref> of the then First Division, scoring 16 league goals in just over 50 appearances.<ref name="NFT">{{NFT player|id=2371|accessdate=13 October 2017}}</ref>

Forssell found it hard to find a place in the Chelsea first team with [[Gianfranco Zola]], [[Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink]], [[Tore Andre Flo]] and [[Eiður Guðjohnsen]], who were all ahead of him in the pecking order.<ref name="sporting-heroes.net"/> After initially impressing new manager [[Claudio Ranieri]], scoring in four consecutive games,<ref name="Forssell is hungry for action">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2430968/Forssell-is-hungry-for-action.html |title=Forssell is hungry for action|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=31 January 2013 | date = 16 February 2002 | first = Clive | last = White}}</ref> he was sent out on loan again and had spells at [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]]<ref name="UEFA.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=51723.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014003111/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=51723.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 October 2017 |title=Forssell joins Mönchengladbach fight |publisher=UEFA |date=30 January 2003 |access-date=26 March 2013}}</ref> of the German [[Bundesliga]]<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/forsselldata.html | title = Mikael Forssell - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 28 May 2020 | access-date = 29 May 2020 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref> and twice to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] of the Premier League. Forssell scored seven Bundesliga goals for Mönchengladbach in the spring of 2003 and then 17 Premier League goals for Birmingham in the [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]] season (more league goals than any other Chelsea player), during which he was the division's fifth highest goalscorer. He was named [[Premier League Player of the Month]] for March 2004,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_2295327,00.html |title=Forssell scoops player award |publisher=Sky Sports |author=Luckings, Steve |date=2 April 2004 |access-date=17 October 2008}}</ref> a month in which he scored twice in a 4–1 win against [[Leeds United]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3552889.stm |title=Birmingham 4–1 Leeds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 March 2004 |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref> and won Birmingham's Player of the Year award.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A116328477/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=d4ada83b |title=Mikael is the fans' choice |newspaper=Birmingham Evening Mail |date=6 May 2007 |page=87 |via=Gale OneFile: News |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

He returned to Birmingham on loan for the [[2004–05 FA Premier League|2004–05]] season, but suffered the second serious knee injury of his career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/sep/23/newsstory.sport10 |title=Forssell to miss six months |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 September 2004 |access-date=24 August 2020}}</ref> He returned to Chelsea to recuperate, and made occasional appearances for Chelsea that season,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bounder.friardale.co.uk/Summaries/2004.htm | title = Summary of Season 2004–05 | publisher = bounder.friardale.co.uk | access-date = 20 October 2013}}</ref> playing against [[Bayern Munich]] in the Champions League<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4407909.stm |title=Chelsea 4–2 Bayern Munich |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 April 2005 |access-date=16 October 2013}}</ref> and in the last home match, against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]], as Chelsea celebrated winning their first top-flight title for 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=36810 |title=Mikael Forssell: Biography (part 2) |first=Kelvin |last=Barker |work=Football Heroes |publisher=Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref>

===Birmingham City===
In the summer of 2005, Forssell joined Birmingham on a three-year deal for a fee of £3.5&nbsp;million<ref>[https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blues-set-to-seal-35m-deal-11656 Blues set to seal £3.5m deal for hero Mikael], birminghammail.co.uk, 10 June 2005</ref> after Chelsea decided that he did not fit in their long-term plans. He struggled in the [[2005–06 FA Premier League|2005–06]] season, not having found his best form after his injury, and could not save Birmingham from relegation. Forssell suffered another cruel injury blow to his other knee during training in October 2006. This left him on the sidelines until he returned to training in February 2007 after undergoing operations on both knees. He remained at Birmingham to have another go at resurrecting his career.

His 2007–08 pre-season performances were good as he scored five goals in five games. His manager, Steve Bruce, was enthusiastic about his return to form. He continued his good form into the start of the season, scoring the opening goal of the match against Chelsea and consolidating his good form with two assists in the next three matches. He scored his first [[hat-trick]] at club level on 1 March 2008, in the 4–1 win over [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], a so-called "perfect hat-trick" – one goal scored with the left foot, one with the right, and one with the head.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/mikael-forssell-routs-spurs-5f6qzklzsdv |title=Mikael Forssell routs Spurs |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=2 March 2008 |access-date=27 September 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927202517/https://www.thetimes.com/article/mikael-forssell-routs-spurs-5f6qzklzsdv}}</ref><!-- NOT first professional hat trick - scored 3 for Finland v Macedonia, see ext link to Finland FA --> In his final season at Birmingham, he finished the season as their top scorer with nine goals as the club were relegated from the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2008/05/16/birmingham-city-begin-contract-talks-with-mikael-forssell-97319-20922760/ |title=Birmingham City begin contract talks with Mikael Forssell |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=16 May 2008 |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref>

===Hannover 96===
In May 2008, following the club's relegation from Premier League, Forssell signed a pre-contract agreement to join [[Hannover 96]] on a free transfer when his Birmingham contract expired at the end of June. His contract with Hannover ran out at the end of the 2010–11 season.<ref name=leaveBCFC>{{cite web |url=http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1321534,00.html |title=Alex wishes Forss well |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=2 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104090515/http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1321534,00.html |archive-date=4 November 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7417549.stm |title=Forssell completes Hannover deal |date=30 May 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 May 2008}}</ref>

On his pre-season debut for Hannover, he scored 10 goals including an eight-minute hat-trick in one friendly game against amateurs FC Boffzen. The game ended up as a 23–0 win.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=554921&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629122200/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=554921&cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |title=Forssell scores 10 goals on Hannover debut.|publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=12 July 2008 |access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref>

===Leeds United===
After leaving Hannover when his contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season, Forssell had trials with clubs including [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110729/sam-ready-for-saturday_2236884_2405290 |title=Sam ready for Saturday |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=29 July 2011 |access-date=30 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929141712/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110729/sam-ready-for-saturday_2236884_2405290 |archive-date=29 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds_united_forssell_has_his_trial_extended_by_grayson_1_3694976 |title=Forssell has his trial extended by Grayson |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=19 August 2011|access-date=19 August 2011}}</ref> of the English [[Football League Championship]] (second tier). On 8 September, he returned from international duty with Finland to sign a contract with Leeds until the end of the 2011–12 season.<ref name="BBC Sport">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14845940 |title=Leeds United sign striker Mikael Forssell for the season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 September 2011 |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref> Forssell was handed the number 18 shirt and took his place on the bench two days later against his former club [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]. He came on as a second-half substitute to make his Leeds debut and assisted [[Ross McCormack]] for their winning goal in a 3–2 victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110910/crystal-palace-live_2247585_2446651 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103100326/http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110910/crystal-palace-live_2247585_2446651 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2013 |title=McCormack seals United victory |publisher=Leeds United A.F.C. |date=10 September 2011 |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref> He came on as a substitute against fierce rivals [[Manchester United]] in a 3–0 League Cup defeat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110920/carling-cup-live_2247585_2457062 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213033015/http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110920/carling-cup-live_2247585_2457062 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 December 2013 |title=United slip out of Cup |publisher=Leeds United A.F.C. |date=20 September 2011 |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref>

After mainly being used as a substitute and failing to score a single goal for Leeds, Forssell was told by [[Neil Warnock]] that his one-year contract would not be renewed at the end of the 2011–12 season and that he would be released from the club at the expiry of his contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120502/eleven-told-they-can-go_2247585_2757295 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507221923/http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120502/eleven-told-they-can-go_2247585_2757295 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 May 2012 |title=ELEVEN TOLD THEY CAN GO |publisher=Leeds United A.F.C. |date= 2 May 2012 |access-date=2 May 2012}}</ref>

===Return to HJK===
On 29 October 2012, it was announced that Forssell would be returning to Finland after spending 14 years abroad, signing a two-year contract with his former club HJK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hjk.fi/uutiset/1-1331/Forssell+palaa+vahvistamaan+mestaria |title=Forssell palaa vahvistamaan mestaria |language=fi |publisher=HJK |date=29 October 2012 |access-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102133803/http://www.hjk.fi/uutiset/1-1331/Forssell+palaa+vahvistamaan+mestaria |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 22 April 2013, Forssell opened the scoring by a header, in a 2–0 away win over rivals [[FC Honka|Honka]]. He finished the season with 14 league goals, the club's top goalscorer as HJK won their fifth consecutive championship.

After a stint with German side [[VfL Bochum]], Forssell rejoined [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]] on 3 March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Miklu palaa kotiin|url=https://www.hjk.fi/uutiset/Miehet-3595|publisher=HJK|access-date=3 March 2016|language=fi|date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

===HIFK and retirement===
On 10 April 2017, Forssell signed a contract for one year with [[HIFK Fotboll|HIFK]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hyökkäys vahvistuu – Mikael Forssell siirtyy IFK:hon|work=HIFK Fotboll |url=https://hifkfotboll.fi/2017/04/hyokkays-vahvistuu-mikael-forssell-siirtyy-ifkhon/|access-date=31 May 2018|language=fi|date=10 April 2017}}</ref> He announced his retirement in May 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mikael Forssell lopettaa pelaajauransa – "Olen koko elämäni pelännyt tätä hetkeä, mutta nyt on sen aika"|url=https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-10199530|publisher=Yle Urheilu|access-date=31 May 2018|language=fi|date=12 May 2018}}</ref>

==International career==
Forssell was a regular for the [[Finland national football team|Finnish national team]] for most of the 2000s. He played his first match for Finland on 9 June 1999 against [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]], and scored his first goal on 28 February 2001 against [[Luxembourg national football team|Luxembourg]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/forssell-intlg.html | title = Mikael Forssell - Goals in International Matches | first = Roberto | last = Mamrud | date = 28 May 2020 | access-date = 29 May 2020 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref> He often partnered [[Jari Litmanen]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.urheiluviikko.net/kun-jari-litmanen-ja-mikael-forssell-tulivat-vaihtoon-suomi-joutui-vaikeuksiin/24972/ |title=Kun Jari Litmanen ja Mikael Forssell tulivat vaihtoon, Suomi joutui vaikeuksiin |work=Urheiluviikko |language=fi |date=22 February 2009 |access-date=24 September 2011 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319230842/http://www.urheiluviikko.net/kun-jari-litmanen-ja-mikael-forssell-tulivat-vaihtoon-suomi-joutui-vaikeuksiin/24972/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Forssell also played for Finland in the [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship]].

Forssell scored twice against [[Germany football national team|Germany]] in a [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] qualifier; the match ended 2–2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jun/04/england.sport2 |title=Germans much less than perfect |first=Roy |last=Collins |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=4 June 2001 |access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref>

Forssell scored two [[hat-trick]]s for Finland. On 7 September 2005, in [[Tampere]], he scored three goals against Macedonia in qualifying for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]. On 17 November 2010, Forssell scored three of Finland's eight goals against San Marino in the [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]] qualifying.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/54200/finland-vs-san-marino/report |title=Euro 2012 Qualifier: Finland 8–0 San Marino: Hat-Trick Hero Mikael Forssell Fires Hosts To Emphatic Win | publisher=Goal.com |date=17 November 2010 |access-date=29 February 2012}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
After his playing career, Forssell has coached HJK's U19 youth team. On 6 June 2024, he was appointed an assistant coach of [[HJK Helsinki|HJK]] first team.<ref>[https://www.hjk.fi/artikkelit/miehet/mikael-forssell-liittyy-hjkn-valmennustiimiin/ Mikael Forssell liittyy HJK:n valmennustiimiin], hjk.fi, 6 June 2024</ref>

==Personal life==
Forssell's older sister, [[Christina Forssell]], was also a footballer who played for [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (women)|HJK]] and [[Finland women's national football team|Finland]]. His parents are Ansa and Bengt Forssell. Bengt has also played football on a high level in Finland. On 23 August 2013, Forssell got engaged to Metti Lukkarila, and they married on 9 August 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seiska.fi/Uutiset/Taman-kaunottaren-Mikael-Forssell-kihlasi-katso-kuva/1014883|title=Tämän kaunottaren Mikael Forssell kihlasi - katso kuva!|work=Seiska|language=fi|date=28 August 2013}}</ref> The couple have two children – Lilia, born in May 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000002729035.html|title=Mikael Forssellille perheenlisäystä: "Elämäni suurin asia"|work=Helsingin Sanomat|language=fi|date=6 May 2014}}</ref> and Lucas Mikael, born in August 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000001253899.html|title=Metti ja Mikael Forssellin poika sai isänsä nimen – julkaisivat suloisia ristiäiskuvia|work=Ilta-Sanomat|language=fi|date=4 September 2016}}</ref>

==Honours==
'''HJK Helsinki'''
*[[Veikkausliiga]]: [[1997 Veikkausliiga|1997]], [[2013 Veikkausliiga|2013]]{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
*[[Finnish Cup]]: [[1998 Finnish Cup|1998]]{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
*[[Finnish League Cup]]: 1998{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

'''Finland'''
*[[Nordic Football Championship]]: [[2000–01 Nordic Football Championship|2000–01]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=24564|title = Finland vs Norway, 16 August 2000}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nord2001.html|title=Nordic Championship 2000-01}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2003–04 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|March 2004]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1538/Mikael-Forssell/overview |title=Mikael Forssell: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=28 September 2018}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club career===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes [[Finnish Cup]], [[FA Cup]], [[DFB-Pokal]]}}
!colspan="2"|[[League Cup]]{{efn|Includes [[Finnish League Cup]], [[EFL Cup|Football League Cup / EFL Cup]], [[DFL-Ligapokal|Ligapokal]]}}
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[HJK Helsinki|HJK]]
|[[1997 Veikkausliiga|1997]]<ref name=Veikkausliiga>{{cite web |url=http://www.veikkausliiga.com/pelaajat/225234/forssell-mikael |title=Forssell, Mikael |language=fi |publisher=Veikkausliiga |access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|[[Veikkausliiga]]
|1||0|| || || || ||0||0||1||0
|-
|[[1998 Veikkausliiga|1998]]<ref name=Veikkausliiga/><ref name="wf.net">{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe3488/mikael-forssell/club-matches/ |title=Mikael Forssell: Club matches |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HeimSpiel Medien |access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Veikkausliiga
|16||1|| || || || ||4{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||20||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!17||1|| || || || ||4||0||21||1
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[1998–99 Chelsea F.C. season|1998–99]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|1998|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|[[FA Premier League|Premier League]]||10||1||3||2||0||0||0||0||13||3
|-
|[[1999–2000 Chelsea F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref name=sb9900/>
|Premier League||0||0||0||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||2||0
|-
|[[2001–02 Chelsea F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|2001|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League||22||4||6||3||4||2||3{{efn|name=UefaC|Appearance(s) in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||35||9
|-
|[[2002–03 Chelsea F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|2002|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|[[2003–04 Chelsea F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref name=sb0304>{{soccerbase season|15058|2003|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1||0
|-
|[[2004–05 Chelsea F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name=sb0405>{{soccerbase season|15058|2003|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League||1||0||0||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!33||5||9||5||5||2||6||0||53||12
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] (loan)
|[[1999–2000 Crystal Palace F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref name=sb9900>{{soccerbase season|15058|1999|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]||13||3||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||13||3
|-
|[[2000–01 Crystal Palace F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|2000|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|First Division||39||13||2||0||8||2||colspan="2"|—||49||15
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!52||16||2||0||8||2||colspan="2"|—||62||18
|-
|[[Borussia Mönchengladbach]] (loan)
|[[2002–03 Bundesliga|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/mikael-forssell/spieler/bundesliga/2002-03/bor-moenchengladbach |title=Mikael Forssell: Steckbrief 2002/03 |language=de |trans-title=Mikael Forssell: Profile 2002/03 |website=kicker |access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|[[Bundesliga]]||16||7||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||7
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan)
|[[2003–04 Birmingham City F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref name=sb0304>{{soccerbase season|15058|2003|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League||32||17||4||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||37||19
|-
|[[2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name=sb0405/>
|Premier League||4||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
|rowspan="4"|Birmingham City
|[[2005–06 Birmingham City F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|2005|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League||27||3||5||3||3||2||colspan="2"|—||35||8
|-
|[[2006–07 Birmingham City F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|2006|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]||8||1||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||10||1
|-
|[[2007–08 Birmingham City F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|2007|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League||30||9||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||32||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!101||30||10||5||7||2||colspan="2"|—||118||37
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Hannover 96]]
|[[2008–09 Bundesliga|2008–09]]<ref name="wf.net"/>
|Bundesliga||30||7||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||7
|-
|[[2009–10 Hannover 96 season|2009–10]]<ref name="wf.net"/>
|Bundesliga||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0
|-
|[[2010–11 Hannover 96 season|2010–11]]<ref name="wf.net"/>
|Bundesliga||12||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!44||7||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||47||7
|-
|[[Hannover 96 II]]
|[[2009–10 Regionalliga|2009–10]]<ref name="wf.net"/>
|[[Regionalliga Nord]]||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|[[2011–12 Leeds United F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|15058|2011|access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|Championship||15||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||17||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|HJK
|[[2013 HJK season|2013]]<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>For Suomen Cup 5th round: {{cite web |url=http://www.hjk.fi/ottelut/miehet?wcm=X0dFVFtpZF09MTAyMSZfR0VUW2thdXNpXT0yMDEz |title=HJK Miehet: Ottelut: Suomen Cup: HJK – FF Jaro |language=fi |trans-title=HJK Men: Matches: Suomen Cup: HJK – FF Jaro |publisher=HJK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930030908/http://www.hjk.fi/ottelut/miehet?wcm=X0dFVFtpZF09MTAyMSZfR0VUW2thdXNpXT0yMDEz |archive-date=30 September 2013}}</ref>
|Veikkausliiga||27||14||2||0||5||3||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||36||17
|-
|[[2014 HJK season|2014]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
|Veikkausliiga||17||7||1||0||5||4||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||24||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!44||21||3||0||10||7||3||0||60||28
|-
|[[VfL Bochum]]
|[[2014–15 VfL Bochum season|2014–15]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
|[[2. Bundesliga]]||16||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||3
|-
|HJK
|[[2016 HJK season|2016]]<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>For Suomen Cup 5th round: {{cite web |url=https://tulospalvelu.palloliitto.fi/match/539011/lineups |title=FC Honka Akatemia – HJK (Miesten Respect Suomen Cup) |publisher=Suomen Palloliitto |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
|Veikkausliiga||19||3||4||2||0||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||24||5
|-
|[[HIFK Fotboll|HIFK]]
|[[2017 Veikkausliiga|2017]]<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/mikael-forssell/16030/ |title=M. Forssell |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
|Veikkausliiga||26||8||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|Appearance in relegation play-off}}||0||28||8
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!384!!101!!33!!12!!31!!13!!16!!0!!464!!126
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{{updated|9 March 2016}}<ref name="NFT" />
'''Appearances and goals by national team and year'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | [[Finland national football team|Finland national team]]
|-
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|1999||1||0
|-
|2000||7||0
|-
|2001||9||6
|-
|2002||2||1
|-
|2003||9||4
|-
|2004||3||1
|-
|2005||7||3
|-
|2006||6||1
|-
|2007||7||1
|-
|2008||8||1
|-
|2009||6||1
|-
|2010||7||5
|-
|2011||9||2
|-
|2012||0||0
|-
|2013||5||3
|-
|2014||1||0
|-
!Total||87||29
|}
'''International goals'''

''Finland's score given first. As of 26 March 2013''.<ref name="Palloliitto" />

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
|-
! colspan="6" |'''Mikael Forssell international goals'''
|-
! # !! Date !! Location !! Opponent !!  Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 28 February 2001|| [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], Luxembourg || {{fb|LUX}} || 1–0 || Friendly
|-
| 2. || rowspan="2" | 2 June 2001 || rowspan="2" | [[Helsinki]], Finland || rowspan="2" | {{fb|GER}} || rowspan="2" | 2–2 || rowspan="2" | [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 3. 
|-
| 4. || 15 August 2001 || Helsinki, Finland || {{fb|BEL}} || 4–1 || Friendly
|-
| 5. || rowspan="2" | 5 September 2001 || rowspan="2" | Helsinki, Finland || rowspan="2" | {{fb|GRE}}  || rowspan="2" | 5–1 || rowspan="2" | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 6. 
|-
| 7. || 27 March 2002 || [[Porto]], Portugal || {{fb|POR}} || 4–1 || Friendly
|-
| 8. || 30 April 2003 || [[Vantaa]], Finland || {{fb|ISL}} || 3–0 || Friendly
|-
| 9. || 7 June 2003 || Helsinki, Finland || {{fb|SCG}} || 3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying]]
|-
| 10. || 10 September 2003 || [[Cardiff]], Wales || {{fb|WAL}} || 1–1 || Euro 2004 qualifying
|-
| 11. || 11 October 2003 || [[Tampere]], Finland || {{fb|CAN}} || 3–2 || Friendly
|-
| 12. || 8 September 2004 || [[Jerevan]], Armenia || {{fb|ARM}} || 2–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 13. || rowspan="3" | 7 September 2005 || rowspan="3" | Tampere, Finland || rowspan="3" | {{fb|MKD|name=Macedonia}} || rowspan="3" | 5–1 || rowspan="3" | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 14. 
|-
| 15. 
|-
| 16. || 1 March 2006 || [[Larnaka]], Cyprus || {{fb|BLR}} || 2–2 || Friendly
|-
| 17. || 17 November 2007 || Helsinki, Finland || {{fb|AZE}} || 2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]]
|-
| 18. || 11 October 2008 || Helsinki, Finland|| {{fb|AZE}} || 1–0 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 19. || 6 June 2009 || Helsinki, Finland || {{fb|LIE}} || 2–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| 20. || 7 September 2010 || [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands || {{fb|NED}} || 1–2 || [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]]
|-
| 21. || 12 October 2010 || Helsinki, Finland || {{fb|HUN}} || 1–2 || UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
|-
| 22. || rowspan="3" | 17 November 2010 || rowspan="3" | Helsinki, Finland || rowspan="3" | {{fb|SMR}} || rowspan="3" | 8–0 || rowspan="3" | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
|-
| 23. 
|-
| 24. 
|-
| 25. || 3 June 2011 || [[Serravalle (San Marino)|Serravalle]], San Marino || {{fb|SMR}} || 1–0 || UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
|-
| 26. || 2 September 2011 || Helsinki, Finland || {{fb|MDA}} || 4–1 || UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
|-
| 27. || rowspan="2" | 23 January 2013 || rowspan="2" | [[Chiang Mai]], Thailand || rowspan="2" | {{fb|THA}} || rowspan="2" | 3–1 || rowspan="2" | [[2013 King's Cup]]
|-
| 28. 
|-
| 29. || 26 March 2013 || [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], Luxembourg || {{fb|LUX}} || 3–0 || Friendly
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{UEFA player|34061}}
* {{FIFA player|179182}}
* {{Soccerway|mikael-forssell/16030}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313133511/http://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten-maajoukkue/pelaajat/mikael-forssell |title=Profile at FA of Finland's official website}} {{in lang|fi}}
* {{ESPN FC|8938}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Hall of Fame}}
{{Birmingham City F.C. Hall of Fame}}
{{Birmingham City F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forssell, Mikael}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Steinfurt]]
[[Category:Footballers from Münster (region)]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Borussia Mönchengladbach players]]
[[Category:Chelsea F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Finnish expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Finnish men's footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century Finnish sportsmen]]
[[Category:Finland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Finland men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:2. Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Hannover 96 players]]
[[Category:Leeds United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi players]]
[[Category:VfL Bochum players]]
[[Category:Veikkausliiga players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Swedish-speaking Finns]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Finnish football coaches]]
[[Category:Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi non-playing staff]]