Allan Simonsen is a name that I'll forever be constant in Danish football history as legend, as the former striker is the first and only Danish player to ever win the Ballon d'Or award.
In a career that lasted for over 18 years, Simonsen made 500 appearances and scored 202 goals. He also holds the rare record of being the only footballer to have scored in the European Cup, UEFA Cup, and Cup Winners' Cup finals.
We will be mainly looking back at his time with Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he established himself as a legend of the game.
The Borussia era
Following a single season at Danish club Vejle BK, Allan Simonsen made the move to Gladbach in 1972. Surprisingly, his first two seasons at the club were quite underwhelming. The Danish striker only managed to score 2 goals in 17 appear during this period. He was still a part of the legendary side that won the 1972–73 German Cup trophy.
It was by the 1974–75 season that Simonsen began to show glimpses of his brilliance, which eventually led to his breakthrough into the Gladbach starting lineup. The Danish star scored 18 goals in 34 games that season, which played a huge role in Gladbach winning that year's Bundesliga championship. He was equally prolific in that year's international 1974–75 UEFA Cup competition, which saw him score 10 goals in just 12 appearances.
The following season saw history repeat itself, as Simonsen's continued goalscoring brilliance helped Gladbach to retain the Bundesliga title. In addition to his 12 Bundesliga goals, the Danish star scored 4 goals in the European Cup. Gladbach progressed till quarters, where they were defeated by Real Madrid on Away goals rule.
1977 was a heartbreaking yet unforgettable year for the player. Simonsen lead Gladbach all the way till the European Cup finals, as Liverpool awaited them in the final showdown.
Liverpool opened the scoring to make it 1-0, but Simon scored a memorable goal to level it up for Gladbach. However, his efforts went in vain as the Reds ultimately won 3-1 to become European Champions.
Despite the heartbreak, Simonsen's magnificent feats during the season eventually saw him be named as the 1977 European Footballer of the Year. History was made, as he became the first Danish star to win football's biggest individual honour.
It was a tight Ballon d'Or contest that year, which Simonsen eventually won by overcoming the likes of English forward Kevin and French midfielder Michel Platini.
Gladbach struggled to replicate the same success in the following seasons, as they finished 2nd and 8th respectively. What did not change though, was Simonsen's continued goalscoring brilliance.
He led Gladbach to one more trophy in 1978, as the German side became the 1978–79 UEFA Cup winners. The Danish striker scored 8 goals in 8 games of the competition. This included the final as well, which Gladbach won 2-1 against Red Star Belgrade.
The aftermath
After 7 glorious years at Gladbach, Simonsen joined Barcelona in 1979. He made the move by rejecting several other clubs, which included the likes of Juventus, Hamburg, and certain Arabian clubs.
Simonsen spent three successful years with the Blaugrana, during which he continued to score at a commendable rate. He won a Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with the Spanish side. The Danish star was also decisive in that European final, as he scored the decisive header to help Barca beat Standard Liège.
The next chapter of his career led him to Charlton Athletic in England, where he stayed for a single season. Simonsen finally made a return to his old club Vejle BK in 1983, where he spent a further 6 years before retiring in 1989.
