Hannes Þór Halldórsson
Who was Hannes Þór Halldórsson?
Icelandic filmmaker and former goalkeeper who directed several films before representing Iceland as their national team goalkeeper at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. He famously saved a Lionel Messi penalty at the 2018 World Cup.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Hannes Þór Halldórsson (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Hannes Þór Halldórsson was born on April 27, 1984, in Reykjavík, Iceland. He managed to have two careers as both a professional footballer and filmmaker, gaining international fame in both. As a goalkeeper, he played for Iceland at the top levels of international football, earning 77 caps for the national team from 2011 to 2019. His football career hit its peak during Iceland's participation in UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the country's first time in major international tournaments.
Halldórsson started his filmmaking career in the early 2000s, working as a director and screenwriter on various projects. He directed music videos, commercials, and feature films, making his mark in Iceland's creative scene before his football career took off internationally. Balancing these two demanding careers made him stand out among professional athletes.
During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Halldórsson gained worldwide attention when he saved a penalty from Lionel Messi in a group stage match against Argentina. This save happened in Iceland's 1-1 draw with Argentina and became one of the tournament's standout moments, showcasing both his skills as a goalkeeper and Iceland's determination on football's biggest stage.
After retiring from professional football, Halldórsson returned to focus on filmmaking and creative projects. His post-football work includes directing and staying involved in Iceland's film industry. He represents a generation of Icelandic footballers who helped raise the nation's profile in international football while also succeeding in other careers.
Before Fame
Growing up in Reykjavík in the 1990s and early 2000s, Halldórsson experienced a time when Iceland was becoming a modern European nation with more cultural exports. He was interested in both sports and the arts, so he pursued filmmaking while building his football skills. With Iceland's small population, talented people often got chances to excel in more than one area, and Halldórsson used this to nurture both his passions.
In the early 2000s, Iceland's football infrastructure improved a lot, with better coaching and facilities. At the same time, the film industry began to get international attention, opening doors for young creatives. Halldórsson started his filmmaking career during this cultural growth, while his goalkeeping talents were spotted by scouts and coaches in Iceland's growing football scene.
Key Achievements
- Saved Lionel Messi's penalty at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
- Earned 77 caps for Iceland national football team
- Represented Iceland at Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup
- Directed multiple films and music videos as a filmmaker
- Helped Iceland reach the quarter-finals at Euro 2016
Did You Know?
- 01.He directed a music video for the Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men
- 02.Halldórsson was working as a film director when he received his first call-up to Iceland's national football team
- 03.He wore number 1 jersey for Iceland at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup
- 04.His penalty save against Messi was viewed millions of times on social media platforms
- 05.He directed the film 'Operation Napoleon' which was released after his football retirement