Fredrik Aursnes (born 10 December 1995) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder or full-back for Primeira Liga club Benfica, which he also captains, and the Norway national team.
Club career Early career Aursnes played youth football for Hareid, before joining Hødd before the 2012 season. He made his senior league debut in April 2012 in a 2–1 win against Bodø/Glimt. Aged 16 years and 350 days, he became the all-time youngest winner and youngest finalist of the Norwegian Cup after Hødd's win against Tromsø IL in the final.
Molde
In December 2015, Aursnes joined Molde on a four-year deal. He debuted on 18 February 2016 against Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, first leg. On 22 April 2019, Aursnes got his 100th first-team appearance for the club in their 2–0 away win against Lillestrøm. On 30 April 2019, Aursnes signed a two-year contract extension that ties him to Molde until the end of the 2021 season. On 11 July 2019, he scored Molde's second goal in the club's UEFA competitions record 7–1 win over KR in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.
Feyenoord On 8 August 2021, following their 5–4 victory over Haugesund, Molde announced that Aursnes had been sold to Feyenoord. On 10 August 2021, Aursnes signed a three-year contract at the club. He scored his first goal for Feyenoord against SC Cambuur, in a 3–2 victory on 24 October 2021.
Benfica On 24 August 2022, Aursnes signed a five-year contract with Primeira Liga side Benfica, for a reported fee of €13 million plus €2 million in add-ons. He made his debut for the club on 27 August, replacing Enzo Fernández in the 90th minute in a 3–0 away win over Boavista in the Primeira Liga.
On 29 January 2026, he helped Benfica advance to the Champions League knockouts after assisting goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin against Real Madrid for a 4-2 win.
International career
Aursnes made his debut for Norway national team on 6 June 2021 in a friendly against Greece. He substituted Patrick Berg in the 69th minute.
On 12 March 2024 national team manager Ståle Solbakken announced that Aursnes had decided to retire internationally. However, on 3 February 2026, Aursnes announced that he would be available for selection ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHødd20121. divisjon25051———30120131. divisjon27220—20—31220141. divisjon27610———28620151. divisjon27340———313Total10611121—20—12012Molde2016Tippeligaen23320—20—2732017Eliteserien27130———3012018Eliteserien29810—72—37102019Eliteserien30110—81—3922020Eliteserien27300—110—3832021Eliteserien13110—70—211Total1491780—353—19220Feyenoord2021–22Eredivisie33110—130—4712022–23Eredivisie20————20Total35110—130—491Benfica2022–23Primeira Liga2823010101—4232023–24Primeira Liga3326230120105542024–25Primeira Liga2935030120405332025–26Primeira Liga2834020141104942026–27Primeira Liga31000020—51Total12111182905026020415Career total411403939010056056548
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNorway20214020226020231012026120Total321
Norway score listed first, score column indicates score after each Aursnes goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Fredrik AursnesNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition1.12 October 2023AEK Arena, Larnaca, Cyprus174–04–0UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
Honours Hødd Norwegian Cup: 2012
Molde Eliteserien: 2019
Benfica Primeira Liga: 2022–23 Taça da Liga: 2024–25 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2023, 2025
Individual Eredivisie Team of the Month: January 2022 Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2024–25 Cosme Damião Awards – Footballer of the Year: 2025
References
External links
Profile at the S.L. Benfica website