Karl Lennart "Nacka" Skoglund (pronounced [ˈlɛ̌nːaʈ ˈnâkːa ˈskûːɡlɵnd]; 24 December 1929 – 8 July 1975) was a Swedish footballer who played as left winger.

He began his career in his home country with Hammarby IF, but later played for several Italian clubs, most notably Inter Milan, with whom he won two Serie A titles over nine years.

[6] On 5 June 1946, Lennart Skoglund made his senior debut for Hammarby, who by then competed in the Swedish third tier, in a friendly against the Finnish club Sudet.

[6] In a friendly against then domestic giants Degerfors IF during the spring of 1947, Skoglund received much praise from constantly outshining his opponent Olle Åhlund – a Swedish international – on the left flank.

[4][5] Others say it derives from the fact that his older brother Georg "Jojje" Skoglund represented the club Nacka FF,[9] whilst some consider it as a homage to his father's profession as a gardener in said area.

Skoglund scored a brace in the game and impressed enough national team manager Putte Kock to get called up to the 1950 FIFA World Cup which took place between 24 June 1950 and 16 July 1950 in Brazil.

[11] Impressed by his performances during the 1950 World Cup, the Brazilian club São Paulo FC offered 10,000 dollars for him, but the price was considered too low by AIK.

[12] During the fall of 1950, Skoglund got sold to the Italian giants Inter Milan in a deal reportedly worth 12 million lire, or 6,860 pounds.

During the latter season, Skoglund provided three assists as István Nyers scored a hat-trick in a decisive title winning game against rivals A.C.

[13] Skoglund also enjoyed a fruitful partnership with strikers Benito Lorenzi and Faas Wilkes during Inter Milan's league winning seasons.

[14][5] Manager Alfredo Foni, appointed in 1952, had adopted a highly defensive approach with the Swede being an essential part of the team's attacking force from his left wing.

His time in Sicily was however disastrous from the outset, with the player being accommodated in a utility room beneath the stands of the Stadio Della Favorita.

[6] Back at his favourite club and native Södermalm,[11] Skoglund revived his footballing career as Hammarby won promotion to Allsvenskan the same year.

[6] Goalkeeper Ronnie Hellström, who later would win the prize Guldbollen as Sweden's best footballer, said the following on his teammate:[15] Nacka did things with the ball like no one else could.

And what passes he provided during the matches ... His teammates always had neutrals.Back at Hammarby, he played together with his younger brother Karl-Evert Skoglund for three seasons, two in Division 2 and one in Allsvenskan, forming a fruitful partnership on the left flank.

[3] The year after he enjoyed a short stint at the amateur club Kärrtorps IK, a fourth tier side managed by his older brother, Georg "Jojje" Skoglund.

[21] Skoglund waited until 1958 to be called up to the national team in the 1958 World Cup on home soil, in accordance with the Swedish Football Association's policy to ban professional players from representing the side.

One can easily twist a foot among the roots of the trees.In the final against Brazil at Råsunda Stadium, Skoglund was neutralized by defender Djalma Santos as Sweden lost 2–5.

During his transformation from a young inside-left to a mature left winger, Skoglund managed to balance his astonishing individual dribbling skills with a great perception of the game.

[8][13] During his early years, Skoglund's style of play was compared to the likes of Sven Rydell and Henry "Garvis" Carlsson, at the time both celebrated star players in the Sweden national team.

The youngest sibling, Karl-Evert "Ya" Skoglund, would however enjoy a far more successful career, also winning one cap for the Sweden national team.

[4] Both of them would later pursue a career in football, with Evert Skoglund representing Inter Milan during the 1970s and the younger son, Giorgio, briefly playing for city rivals A.C.

[6] In the aftermath of his success at the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Skoglund released the record "Vi hänger med" (in English: "We are tagging along").

The song was written and produced by Stig "Stikkan" Anderson, who later would become the manager of the highly successful Swedish pop band ABBA.

[15] Even before his arrival in Milan, the club's board had started raising questions about his lifestyle, and his quick rise to stardom appeared to exacerbate the problem.

[6] Back in Sweden, after his retirement from football, Skoglund lost his driver's license due to drunk driving when en route to promote his music recordings.

[6] In 1958, Skoglund was given the honorary award Stora Grabbars Märke, the "Big Boys Badge", which is given to participants of all sports for the fulfillment of some criteria.

[27] In 2017, Skoglund was named as the single best player to have originated from Stockholm during the last century, in a vote held by the county's football association and Sveriges Radio.

At this date the Swedes also celebrate Christmas and during the gathering, who mostly is visited by supporters of Hammarby, a speech is held to commemorate and remember Skoglund's performances on the football pitch.

[3] Massimo Moratti, chairman of Inter Milan between 1995 and 2013, dubbed Skoglund as one of the club's biggest profiles throughout its history, together with Antonio Valentín Angelillo and Ronaldo.