Remembering Feyenoord icon Ove Kindvall | OneFootball

Feyenoord legend Ove Kindvall has died at the age of 82, the club have announced. The Swedish striker was hugely successful in Rotterdam in the late 1960s and early 70s and still stands as one of the club’s greatest ever players. Kindvall notably scored the winning goal as Feyenoord won the 1970 European Cup final against Celtic 2-1.

The Swede’s death follows Rinus Israël, another scorer in that final, who recently passed away at the age of 83. The iconic forward not only won “Big Ears” Feyenoord in 1970, but also the Intercontinental Cup. In 1969 and 1971, he lifted two national titles with the Rotterdammers, while 1969 also saw a KNVB Cup win. Kindvall was the Eredivisie’s top scorer on three occasions: in 1968, 1969, and 1971.

Kindvall played for Feyenoord between 1966 and 1971 and spoke to VI several years ago about what the fanaticism was like even back then.

“Yeah, when do you play in front of fifty thousand people? Even the fanaticism in the beginning was… How do you put it, when something brings fear…? Yes, frightening. People were so involved that you didn’t know where the emotion stopped.”

Kindvall left Feyenoord at just 28 for a quieter life and a return to IFK Norrköping, where he made his professional debut in 1962. He left behind a great legacy. “While Kindvall delivered a world-class performance, he always remained the modest and quiet man from Sweden,” Feyenoord wrote on the club website.

“His professionalism, sportsmanship, and dedication made him beloved by teammates, staff, and supporters. His contribution to Feyenoord wasn’t limited to the pitch; even after his playing career, he remained involved with the club and spoke with pride about his time at De Kuip.”

Kindvall played 144 matches for Feyenoord, scoring an impressive 129 goals. The striker played 43 times for the Swedish national team, scoring 16 goals and participating in the 1970 and 1974 World Cups.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield