Former Iceland international Rurik Gislason swaps football for film role
Former Iceland midfielder Rurik Gislason has embarked on a new career path, appearing in a German comedy film following his retirement from professional football. The 35-year-old features in 'Mange, prie, aboie' (Eat, Pray, Bark), a comedy about dog owners seeking help from a legendary trainer in the Tyrol, which was released on April 1.
Gislason, who earned 53 caps for Iceland and played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, retired from football in 2020 after a career spanning clubs including FC Copenhagen, 1. FC Nürnberg, and SV Sandhausen. Since hanging up his boots, he has transitioned into dance, modelling, and now acting, building a significant social media following of over 700,000 people on Instagram.
The film marks his notable foray into cinema, though early critical reception has been mixed. According to reviews on the French site SensCritique, one frequent reviewer described the film as a light and distracting movie that will appeal to dog lovers, but criticized its characters and plot as caricatured and simplistic. On the film social network Letterboxd, the movie holds a rating of 2.3 stars out of 5.
Gislason's post-football career shift reflects a growing trend of athletes moving into entertainment and media. His participation in a major international tournament with Iceland likely provided a platform for his subsequent ventures. The move from the pitch to the screen is a significant personal reinvention, though the project's artistic success remains a point of discussion among critics.
His acting debut represents a clear departure from his previous life in sport, yet leverages the public profile he built as an international footballer. The film's release adds a new chapter to his public persona, moving beyond his athletic achievements. For now, Gislason appears focused on establishing himself in this new creative field.
