Ralf Edström


Ralf Sigvard Edström 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 and French Champion. He also won the Swedish, Dutch and Belgian Cups and was voted Swedish player of the year twice. 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.
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.

Personal life

He has been an expert radio commentator since the 1980s.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
16 August 1972Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden1–04–4Friendly
26 August 1972Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden2–34–4Friendly
36 August 1972Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden4–44–4Friendly
417 September 1972Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway1–03–11972–77 Nordic Football Championship
517 September 1972Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway3–13–11972–77 Nordic Football Championship
615 October 1972Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden1–07–01974 FIFA World Cup qualifier
715 October 1972Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden3–07–01974 FIFA World Cup qualifier
815 October 1972Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden7–07–01974 FIFA World Cup qualifier
913 June 1973Nepstadion, Budapest, Hungary3–33–31974 FIFA World Cup qualifier
1023 June 1974Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany1–03–01974 FIFA World Cup
1123 June 1974Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany3–03–01974 FIFA World Cup
1230 June 1974Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany1–02–41974 FIFA World Cup
133 July 1974Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf, Germany1–11–11974 FIFA World Cup
1419 May 1975Örjans Vall, Halmstad, Sweden1–04–0Friendly
154 June 1975Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden1–01–2UEFA Euro 1976 qualifier

Honours

Åtvidabergs FF
PSV Eindhoven
IFK Göteborg
Standard Liege
AS Monaco
Individual