If you’ve heard about it, you would probably say it’s not real, it’s rather some motion picture script than a true story. But what happens when a starring role is allocated to a movie director?And that’s just what Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson has faced in his life so far. An outstanding keeper who is, at the same time, a splendid movie director.By the age of 20 his football career had stalled, partly because of a severe shoulder injury, and he quit football to concentrate on film-making – until a call from a former coach enticed him back to third-tier side Leiknir Reykjavik.Tango and Cash meet Bad Boys in the Icelandic cop buddy comedy film Cop Secret. A perfect film to watch in a cinema with an audience. #LFF The Director Hannes Halldórsson introduced the film and did a Q&A after. pic.twitter.com/EPGi4HGf0K— Stevie (@FilmFanStevie) October 7, 2021 “I was still working as a filmmaker, and I decided I’d see which took me further,” he said on Sky Sports. “Neither ball stopped rolling.”The buzz of playing in a big match is unbelievable, but sitting in a theatre and watching a film you’ve made come together, I’d say it’s a similar feeling.”Halldorsson ended up moving back to his boyhood club KR and receiving international recognition – alongside working for the biggest production company in Iceland, doing commercials.##EDITORS_CHOICE##”In 2013, I realised I was burning out,” Halldorsson said. “It wasn’t normal to be the number one goalkeeper on the national team and also be constantly working on the side.”When I was finally able to become a professional footballer in 2014, I was happy to rest the film career. I played abroad for five or six years and raised my kids in a lot of countries.”##NAJAVA_MECA_5891337##Halldorsson, who retired from international football last month after winning 77 caps, was part of the Iceland team in their first-ever European Championship appearance in 2016.In the last 16, they beat England 2-1 and advanced to the quarter-finals.Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson beat England at Euro 2016 and once saved a World Cup penalty from Lionel Messi but now he is a movie director. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, he shares the story of his extraordinary journey… ⬇️— Sky Sports (@SkySports) October 7, 2021 “Those moments are the highlights of my football career and my life,” Halldorsson said. “You’re always supposed to say that the birth of your children is your highlight, but I would even say that this tops that. Don’t tell anybody!”Being at the Euros was the most fun I’ve ever had. It was like being at a fantastic resort with some of your best friends, with great weather and every four days, you play an incredible game.”Two years later, Halldorsson played in Iceland’s first match at a World Cup finals, saving a penalty from Messi as they drew 1-1 with Argentina.Halldarsson saves Messi’s penalty (©Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)”If you think up a dream scenario for a goalkeeper, it’s going to be saving a penalty from Lionel Messi,” Halldorsson concluded.
