The footballers who achieved the treble with Manchester United have taken various paths in their post-football careers, becoming managers, prominent sports commentators, or club owners. However, one player from Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad took a surprising turn and proved to be a talented chef, winning the reality show Masterchef.
It has been over two decades since the “Red Devils” accomplished the rare feat of winning the FA Cup, the Premier League, and the Champions League in a single season, a remarkable achievement unmatched by any other English team.
Among the well-known names from Manchester United’s legendary squad are Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, and Roy Keane, all actively involved in football as commentators, continuing their passion for the sport to this day.
Yet, one player who has faded from the spotlight is Jesper Blomqvist. Despite starting in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, the winger faced numerous challenges throughout his career.
In a crucial decision, Sir Alex trusted Blomqvist as Scholes and Keane were unavailable. The attacking footballer found a new passion in the culinary arts, ultimately winning the Swedish edition of Masterchef for celebrities.
Taking to social media, the 48-year-old former Manchester United player expressed his excitement about the competition and the thrilling final showdown. He felt grateful and humbled by the victory, acknowledging the tough and competitive nature of the contest and thanking all those involved for the amazing experience.
Blomqvist’s football journey began in his homeland, Sweden, with Gothenburg, where he won three titles before moving to Serie A to play for Milan and Parma.
He joined Manchester United during their triumphant treble-winning season, becoming a sought-after addition. Unfortunately, his stint at the club was cut short due to a knee injury sustained during the Champions League final, preventing him from playing for the team again. However, the club paid a lighthearted tribute to him with a fun cooking segment called “Cooking with Jesper.”
Having also enjoyed success with the Swedish national team, winning a bronze medal at the 1994 World Cup in the USA, Blomqvist has since ventured into the culinary world as the owner of a pizzeria in Stockholm. He remains active in charity matches and has now added another accolade to his collection – a culinary triumph on Masterchef.
