A highly prolific, powerful, and physically strong striker, with an eye for goal, he is best known for his spell at AC Milan from 1949 to 1956, in which he won the scudetto twice, and also the title of pluricapocannoniere, with an unprecedented five top scorer (capocannonieri) awards, more than any other player in the history of the Italian championship.

He had several nicknames in Italy, whereof the most famous was Il Cannoniere ("The Prime Gunner").

A full international between 1942 and 1948, he won 33 caps and scored 43 goals for the Sweden national team.

He represented his country at the 1948 Summer Olympics, where he was the joint top scorer alongside Denmark's John Hansen as Sweden won gold.

[14] Nordahl is the third-highest Serie A goalscorer of all time, with 225 goals in 291 matches,[11][13][14][15] only behind Silvio Piola[6] and Francesco Totti.

[1] Nordahl's transfer to Milan forced him to retire from the national team, as the rules at the time prevented professionals from serving on the Sweden national team and unavailble to the 1950 FIFA World Cup as were Gren and Liedholm.