A forgotten Manchester United hero has been crowned MasterChef winner in his native Sweden - and is also the proud owner of his own pizza restaurant in Stockholm.
Jesper Blomqvist, 48, retired from football in 2010 after an illustrious playing career, winning the Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League during United's legendary 1998/99 season. A bit-part player under Sir Alex Ferguson, Blomqvist scored once in 38 appearances in all competitions en route to treble glory, and later had brief stints with Everton and Charlton.
After returning to his homeland in 2003, Blomqvist represented a handful of Swedish clubs and tried his hand in player-coaching roles. However, he has enjoyed more success since handing up his boots and entering the culinary world, as he recently triumphed in Sweden's version of hit cooking competition show Celebrity MasterChef.
Following his win, Blomqvist wrote on Instagram : "What a lovely competitor I had on the other side of the kitchen table in @karlfredrik.se [television host Karl Fredrik Gustafsson] and what an exciting final it was.
"Even though I knew the result, I got all sweaty watching it on TV. Incredibly happy, grateful and humble for the win, know that you Karl-Fredrik might as well have won, it was an incredibly tough & even final.
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"The whole production has been amazingly funny, educational but also tough. Then it helps to have such awesome competitors, jury members and the rest of the recording team who supports, pepper and spurs, thank you all for a wonderful adventure."
Jesper Blomqvist was crowned champion of Sweden's version of Celebrity MasterChef (Instagram/@jesperblomqvistofficial)Blomqvist also spoke on TV about his victory and admitted he was surprised that he managed to come out on top. In an interview with Stockholm-based newspaper Aftonbladet, the former Sweden international admitted it was challenge throughout despite owning his own pizzeria and becoming an experienced chef following his retirement from professional football.
He said: "I felt that there were people who were a little better in terms of knowledge, but I thought the competition itself was a bit difficult. That it was what became difficult for them. I go all the way in and then it happens as it happens."
While competing on MasterChef, Blomqvist looked unrecognisable, sporting a ponytail without the vibrant blonde hair he once had as a player. Many United fans may not realise who it is, given the dramatic change in his look since he played for the club over two decades ago.
Jesper Blomqvist helped Manchester United win three trophies in the 1998/99 season (Getty Images)Blomqvist owns a pizzeria in his homeland and faces extreme pressure to impress customers on a daily basis, but he is used to that scrutiny after playing for the likes of AC Milan and United during his playing days, while he also helped Sweden finish third at the 1994 World Cup.
Speaking to United's official website, Blomqvist said: "I've still got that [restaurant] and we've just moved to a bigger place. We've won a few awards, especially from some Italian organisations and that makes me extra proud, those awards, but the most important thing is the customers keep coming back.
"We had a lot this summer and that was fantastic. That's the most important thing - awards are here and there but you need to win the game and get people to come back. That is, for sure, they're coming back and it feels great. [My favourite pizza?] Ah well, we have a lot of good ones but the classic Parma, with some Parma ham, Parmesan cheese and ricola, and maybe some extra buffalo mozzarella on top of that. It's a great pizza!"
It is no surprise that the "Parma" is up there with Blomqvist's favourite pizzas, as he represented the Italian club of the same name in the 1997/98 season. Perhaps he should name one the "Treble" at his restaurant to commemorate his brief but trophy-laden time at Old Trafford.
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