Rúrik Gíslason Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Girlfriend, Career, World Cup, Parents, Siblings, Instagram

Rúrik Gíslason is an Icelandic former professional footballer who unexpectedly found global fame during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Initially a substitute, his brief appearances on the field led to a social media sensation, as viewers around the world noticed his looks.

This sudden and intense online popularity propelled Gíslason into the public eye beyond the football pitch, leading to a successful transition into the entertainment industry after his retirement from the sport.

He has since become a prominent media personality, a winner of the German dance show Let’s Dance, and a football analyst.

Profile

• Full Name: Rúrik Gíslason
• Date of Birth: February 25, 1988
• Age: 37 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Reykjavík, Iceland
• Nationality: Icelandic
• Profession: Former Professional Footballer, Media Personality, Model
• Height: 1.84 m (6 feet 0 inches)
• Weight: 77 kg (170 lbs)
• Eye Color: Blue
• Hair Color: Blonde
• Parents: Gisli Kristofersson (father)
• Siblings: Georg Gislason (brother)
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Religion: Lutheran (Church of Iceland)
• Ethnicity: Icelandic (Nordic descent)
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Rúrik Gíslason, who is now at the age of 37, was born on February 25, 1988, in Reykjavík, Iceland. He grew up in a family with strong ties to the church, as his father, Gisli Kristofersson, serves as a pastor in the Church of Iceland.

Rúrik has at least one brother named Georg and likely a sister as well. His early life in Iceland was centered around his developing football skills.

Rúrik attended Verzlunarskóli Íslands, a high school in Reykjavík, but he left the school at the age of 16 to pursue his burgeoning football career in England.

He signed a contract with Charlton Athletic in 2005, moving abroad to focus solely on professional sports rather than traditional academic graduation.

Personal Life

Rúrik Gíslason is not married and does not have any children. He generally keeps his personal life private, rarely sharing details about his relationships with the public or on social media.

He was publicly linked to Brazilian model Nathalia Soliani in early 2020, with them attending at least one event together. There is no information available regarding how they met or the status of their current relationship.

Rúrik is a goodwill ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages and has been involved in charitable initiatives to support disadvantaged children globally.

Career

Rúrik Gíslason began his professional football career after leaving Iceland for England to join Charlton Athletic in 2005. His time there was brief, and he soon returned to Iceland to play for Afturelding and later HK.

He made a move to the Danish Superliga in 2009, playing for Viborg FF and then FC Copenhagen, where he won the Danish championship and the Danish Cup.

He later transferred to German second-division side Nürnberg and concluded his football career at SV Sandhausen.

Internationally, Rúrik was a significant player for the Iceland national team, earning 53 caps and scoring 3 goals.

He was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament and made history by participating in Iceland’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2018.

It was during the World Cup that he became an internet sensation, leading to a massive increase in social media following. He retired from professional football in November 2020.

Following his retirement, Gíslason became a prominent media figure. He won the 14th season of the German dance competition Let’s Dance in 2021.

He has since worked as a football expert and television pundit for Viaplay’s coverage of football in Iceland, appeared in the Icelandic action-comedy film Cop Secret (2021), and briefly attempted a political career in Iceland. He also pursued music, writing and playing guitar.

Net Worth

Rúrik Gíslason has an estimated net worth of $5 million. His wealth was primarily accrued through his professional football career, which spanned over 15 years and included contracts with various European clubs.

Since his retirement, his transition into television, modeling, and media appearances, including winning Let’s Dance, has added significantly to his financial standing.

Social Media

• Instagram: @rurikgislason
• X: @rgislason

Filmography

• Cop Secret (2021)
• Die Andersons (2025)