Borussia Dortmund star Julian Ryerson is shaping up quite well for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coming off the back of a spectacular individual campaign with the BVB which yielded 18 assists in all competitions, the full-back continued his fiery run for Norway with two assists in their first warmup game against Sweden last week.
On Sunday, the Nordic side played their last friendly game before the competition against fellow World Cup participants Morocco in the United States but could muster only a 1-1 draw. Brahim Diaz's eighth-minute opener for the Atlas Lions was canceled in the second half by Martin Odegaard though Ryerson was the real star of the show.
Ryerson puts in a MOTM performance, again
Although he didn't score or assist, Ryerson was still the architect of their game last night with a fearsome all-round display. His high press was a cause for concern for Morocco on the right while also coming up trumps defensively.
Never missing a chance to compete for possession, the Norwegian ace made 12 ground duels and won six. He also registered one clearance and made four recoveries, displaying excellent vision and proactiveness.
During moments of Moroccan pressure, Ryerson stood firm like an anchor to a ship, weathering the storm to keep his side steady but as it's been the case lately, his best moments came at the other end of the field.
With 13 crosses laid, the Dortmund star was once again the chief supplier of goods for the Norwegian forwards. His ace passing skills cut open the Moroccan defense like a knife through butter as Ryerson laid four key passes in the match, including one big chance.
The 28-year-old's forays into the Moroccan half always had the Atlas Lions on their toes as a goal or an assist would have been the icing on the cake after such a resounding display, but it once again highlights Ryerson's importance in the side.
Ryerson to take World Cup by storm?
Entering on the back of two consecutive top-notch displays, Julian Ryerson is surely one of the most in-form players heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and among the players to keep an eye on.
This Norway squad is packed to the rafters with promising young guns and could make a deep run at the tournament, upsetting the applecart.
Should that happen, you can bet your bottom dollar that Ryerson played an instrumental role behind it.
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