Preben Elkjær

Elkjær in 2011 in Viborg
Personal information
Full name	Preben Elkjær Larsen
Date of birth	(1957-09-11) 11 September 1957 (age 68)
Place of birth	Copenhagen, Denmark
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position	Striker
Youth career
1963–1973	Frederiksberg BK
1973–1974	KB
1974–1975	Frederiksberg BK
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1976	Vanløse	15	(7)
1976–1978	1. FC Köln	9	(1)
1978–1984	Lokeren	190	(98)
1984–1988	Hellas Verona	91	(32)
1988–1990	Vejle	39	(12)
Total		333	(143)
International career
1975–1976	Denmark U19	11	(6)
1976–1979	Denmark U21	9	(9)
1977–1988[1]	Denmark	69	(38)
Managerial career
1995–1996	Silkeborg
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Preben Elkjær Larsen (Danish pronunciation: [ˈelˌkʰeˀɐ̯]; born 11 September 1957) is a Danish former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Amongst others, he played with Hellas Verona in Italy, helping the club to the only major title of its history, the 1985 Serie A. Additionally, Elkjær scored 38 goals for the Denmark national team in 11 years, being a leading figure for the Danish side under coach Sepp Piontek that played at the Euro 1984 and the 1986 World Cup (a first-ever appearance), often hailed as the golden generation of Danish football by their countrymen. Elkjær won the Bronze Ball award at the latter competition.

Widely regarded as one of the best forwards of the 1980s, Elkjær finished second in the Ballon d'Or awards in 1985, having been placed third the previous year, and going on to finish fourth in 1986. In Verona he is still remembered fondly, having earned the persisting nickname "Il sindaco" (the mayor) during his stint for the club. To this day, at least a few hundred voters in the city continue to write his name on their ballots at the mayoral elections. Renowned for his goal-scoring abilities and persona, he also remains one of the most popular sports personalities in his native Denmark. A well-known story in Copenhagen states that during the celebrations of the Danish qualification for the 1986 World Cup, religious graffiti emerged on a wall in Copenhagen, asking "What would we do if Jesus returned tomorrow?". Overnight, an answer had been sprayed on the wall replying "Then we'll move Elkjær out wide".