Ralf Sigvard Edström (born 7 October 1952) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a forward. Widely regarded as Sweden's best player in the 1970s, he started off his career with Degerfors IF in the late 1960s and went on to represent Åtvidabergs FF, PSV Eindhoven, IFK Göteborg, Standard Liege, and AS Monaco before retiring at Örgryte IS in 1985. A full international between 1972 and 1980, he won 40 caps for the Sweden national team and scored 15 goals. He represented his country at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups and was awarded Guldbollen as Sweden's best player in 1972 and 1974.
Club career Starting his career in Degerfors IF, a club known to produce many young talents, Edström moved to Åtvidabergs FF and became national champion in 1972. He moved to PSV Eindhoven in 1973 and was part of the team that became national champion in 1974–75 and 1975–76. On club level, he became not only Swedish Champion, but also Dutch (twice) and French Champion. He also won the Swedish, Dutch and Belgian Cups and was voted Swedish player of the year twice (1972 and 1974, winning Guldbollen). He injured his knee while at AS Monaco which prevented him from playing any games for Örgryte IS and ultimately led to his retirement from professional football in 1985.
International career Edström made 40 appearances for the Sweden national team and scored 15 times. He is most noted for his performance in the 1974 FIFA World Cup where he had a big part in Sweden finishing fifth, and he made six appearances and scored four goals during this tournament.FIFA profile
While representing Sweden at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, Edström was arrested for speaking to a person in Buenos Aires; however, the Argentine military released him upon recognising its error (that he was not one of its citizens but a professional footballer who was in the country for the tournament it was hosting).Lundström, Klas. "Argentina's World Cup 1978: When FIFA Backed a Junta". 20 November 2022.
Personal life He has been an expert radio commentator since the 1980s.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsÅtvidaberg1971Allsvenskan2261972Allsvenskan19161973Allsvenskan116Total 5228PSV Eindhoven1973–74Eredivisie33191974–75Eredivisie32161975–76Eredivisie29151976–77Eredivisie185Total 15381IFK Göteborg1977Allsvenskan8424––1081978Allsvenskan17642––2181979Allsvenskan12421––145Total 371487––4521Standard Liège1979–80First Division31181980–81First Division209Total 5127Monaco1981–82Division 135151982–83Division 1141Total 4916Örgryte1983Allsvenskan001984Allsvenskan001985Allsvenskan00Total00Total350156
International +Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSweden197248197391197494197552197620197720197840198050Total4015 Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Edström goal. +List of international goals scored by Ralf EdströmNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition16 August 1972Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden1–04–4Friendly22–334–4417 September 1972Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway1–03–11972–77 Nordic Football Championship53–1615 October 1972Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden1–07–01974 FIFA World Cup qualifier73–087–0913 June 1973Nepstadion, Budapest, Hungary3–33–31974 FIFA World Cup qualifier1023 June 1974Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany1–03–01974 FIFA World Cup113–01230 June 1974Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany1–02–41974 FIFA World Cup133 July 1974Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany1–11–11974 FIFA World Cup1419 May 1975Örjans Vall, Halmstad, Sweden1–04–0Friendly154 June 1975Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden1–01–2UEFA Euro 1976 qualifier
Honours Åtvidabergs FF
Allsvenskan: 1972, 1973 Svenska Cupen: 1970–71
PSV Eindhoven
Eredivisie: 1974–75, 1975–76 KNVB Cup: 1973–74, 1975–76
IFK Göteborg
Svenska Cupen: 1978–79
Standard Liege
Belgian Cup: 1981
AS Monaco
French Division 1: 1981–82 Individual Allsvenskan top scorer: 1972 Guldbollen: 1972, 1974 World Soccer World XI: 1975 Sport Ideal European XI: 1975 Swedish Football Hall of Fame: 2003
References
External links