Jari Olavi Litmanen

About Jari Olavi Litmanen

Few career paths read quite like that of Jari Olavi Litmanen. The Finnish attacking midfielder, born in 1971, started out at Reipas in 1986 and went on to represent 10 clubs across 6 countries. Now retired, Litmanen left the game having last played for HJK Helsinki in 2011.

Follow the badges in sequence and you get: Reipas (1986–1990), then HJK Helsinki (1990–1991), then MyPa (1991–1992), then AFC Ajax (1992–1999), then FC Barcelona (1999–2000), then Liverpool FC (2000–2002), then AFC Ajax (2002–2004), then FC Lahti (2004–2004), then Hansa Rostock (2004–2005), then Malmö FF (2005–2007), then Fulham FC (2007–2008), then FC Lahti (2008–2010), then HJK Helsinki (2011–2011). Each of those moves is a clue in the riddle — and a chapter in the story.

If one badge defines the grid, it is AFC Ajax — home for close to 7 years. 1992 marked the leap overseas — a transfer to AFC Ajax of Netherlands. Count the flags: Finland, Netherlands, Spain, England, Germany, Sweden — each one a different league, a different footballing culture.

The ledger shows 580 recorded appearances, 247 goals, 50 assists.

Beyond the numbers, there is color to this story. He is the only Finnish footballer to win the UEFA Champions League. A statue of him was erected in Lahti, Finland, in 2010, making him the first Finnish team sport athlete to be honored with a statue. His nickname 'The Man of Glass' comes from his propensity for injuries throughout his career.

This profile doubles as a study guide: from Reipas in 1986 to HJK Helsinki, the timeline below is exactly what the riddle shows when Jari Olavi Litmanen is the mystery player.