Andreas Schjelderup, the young talent at Benfica, isn’t giving up on his mission. He is working hard to convince fellow Norwegian Fredrik Aursnes to rejoin the national team. Aursnes stepped away from international duty almost eighteen months ago. "I’m doing my best," Schjelderup joked recently to Verdens Gang, a Norwegian newspaper. He also shared his thoughts on the tough schedule pro footballers face.
Schjelderup understands the weariness that can build up. He pointed to Benfica’s schedule as an example of the relentless pace. "It’s tough," he admitted. "After the Club World Cup, where Benfica reached the round of 16, you’d think there would be a long break before the next game." But that wasn’t the case. "The Super Cup came on July 31st," he recalled, referring to Benfica’s 1-0 victory over Sporting. "That’s really bad." Despite the challenges, he added, "We pushed through. We’ve had a great start, so no complaints. It’s just about taking good care of our bodies."
This constant grind helps Schjelderup understand Aursnes’ decision completely. "He made that choice to leave the national team, and I respect it," Schjelderup explained. "I get it one hundred percent." Aursnes moved quickly through clubs, from Molde to Feyenoord, and then to Benfica. That meant two years packed with many matches and a rapidly growing workload. "I know he truly values the little free time he gets," Schjelderup continued. "So, there’s total understanding from me." Still, Schjelderup and the rest of the team really want him back.
Schjelderup, who has called Aursnes his best friend, showered him with praise. "He’s incredibly good," Schjelderup said. "He’s one of Norway’s most underrated players, for sure." The team misses Aursnes a lot. "We miss him here, both as a person and as a player," he finished. Schjelderup himself recently made a big play for Norway, winning the penalty that Erling Haaland converted in their 1-0 win against Finland.