– It is sad that he has passed away, but I knew it was coming. He has gotten worse and worse recently, says former footballer Trond Hoftvedt.
He has played against Pele twice, and been out on the town with him in Oslo. Hoftvedt played both in Norway, Sweden and the USA during his career.
– We were at the Theatercafeen with him. It was special. That’s where we used to hang out, but when you have a person like that with you, people wake up, says Hoftvedt.
FIGHT FOR THE BALL: Hofvedt remembers Pelé as the very best. Photo: Ap / NTB
– We ate together and then we went out, but there was no alcohol involved. We were careful about that, says Hoftvedt.
He remembers Pele as one of the very best footballers, but who was also a very ordinary person.
– People did react when he was nearby, but he didn’t particularly care about it. I mean, I didn’t want to use him, but it was great to be with him, I remember that well.
He himself has had no contact with him afterwards, but his son has.
– My son wrote him a letter after the visit. It was very big for him to meet Pelé, says Hoftvedt.
– Showed attention to Norwegian youth
Per Ravn Omdal, former sports director and president of the Norwegian Football Association, has met Pelé on several occasions, including when Pelé and the FIFA president were visiting the Norway Cup.
– He was a wonderful person. First and foremost a great football player. He was very interested in children, youth and the rising generation of players. Both those with great talent and those who didn’t, he tells TV 2.
– He was already a great inspiration in 1958 when he participated in his first WC. He was a great ambassador for international football. The fact that he visited Oslo and the Norway Cup and showed attention to Norwegian youth, it was absolutely fantastic.
