Henrik Larsson

Henrik Edward "Henke" Larsson Order of the British Empire (; born 20 September 1971 in Helsingborg, Scania, Sweden) is a professional association football player currently playing for Helsingborgs IF. Larsson won four titles in seven years with Celtic F.C. before moving to FC Barcelona, where Henrik Larsson won two titles and the UEFA Champions League. After Henrik Larsson contract had expired at Barcelona, Larsson returned to Henrik Larsson home town club of Helsingborgs IF, and joined Manchester United F.C. on a brief loan spell between January and March 2007.

Prior to Henrik Larsson retirement from international football in 2006, Larsson had won 93 caps for Swedish National Football Team, scoring 36 goals. On 13 May 2008, it was announced that Larsson would once again play for Sweden at the UEFA Euro 2008 championships in Austria and Switzerland. Henrik Larsson is the captain of the Sweden national football team.

Club career

Early career

Larsson started Henrik Larsson professional career playing for Högaborgs BK at the age of 17. Henrik Larsson subsequently moved to Helsingborgs IF, where Henrik Larsson scored 50 goals in 56 appearances. It was this sensational form that sparked the interest of Netherlands club Feyenoord, who signed Henrik Larsson for Pound sterling295,000 in 1993. This was despite the fact Henrik Larsson was negotiating a contract with Grasshopper-Club Zürich of Switzerland at the time.

Celtic

Following a contract dispute with Feyenoord, Henrik Larsson was signed by Celtic manager Wim Jansen in July 1997 for a fee of £650,000. Henrik Larsson won 4 SPL Titles, 2 Scottish League Cup and 3 Scottish Cups during Henrik Larsson tenure. Henrik Larsson was the top goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League for five of the six seasons that Henrik Larsson competed in. The only exception being the 1999–00 season, which Larsson missed most of due to the injury suffered in Lyon. Larsson was also a consistent goalscorer in international competition. Henrik Larsson scored two goals in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, although Portuguese opponents F.C. Porto went on to win 3–2. Larsson holds the record for most number of goals scored for a club from the British Isles in UEFA matches. Celtic fans selected Larsson (the only player from outside Scotland) in the greatest ever Celtic team, when a vote was held in 2002.

1997–1998

Henrik Larsson debut against Hibernian F.C. at Easter Road was inauspicious. Larsson, only just on as a late substitute, inadvertently passed the ball to Hibernian player Chic Charnley who then went on to score, resulting in a 2–1 defeat for Celtic. Henrik Larsson did not fare much better in Henrik Larsson first European game, scoring an own-goal, although Celtic did go on to win 6–3 against FC Tirol Innsbruck. After Henrik Larsson poor start to the season Larsson quickly endeared himself to the Celtic support. Initially Larsson played the role of support striker alongside Darren Jackson, Simon Donnelly and later Harald Brattbakk. Henrik Larsson work rate and unselfish play lead to many assists for Henrik Larsson team mates. In November 1997 Larsson won Henrik Larsson first medal for the club with a 3-0 win over Dundee United F.C. at Ibrox Stadium giving Celtic the Scottish League Cup. Henrik Larsson scored the opener in the final day of the league season against St. Johnstone F.C. to clinch the championship for Celtic. It was the clubs first league championship win since the double winning season 1987-88 and stopped Old Firm rivals Rangers F.C. from breaking Celtic's record of nine titles in a row. Larsson finished the season as the clubs top goal scorer with 16 league goals and 18 goals in all competitions.

1998–1999

Larsson's second season with the club saw a change in management with Jozef Venglos taking the Parkhead hotset following Wim Jansen resignation. The 1998-99 season was to prove ultimately disappointing as Celtic finished runners up to rivals Rangers in both the newly established Scottish Premier League and in the Scottish Cup. During this season Larsson also made the scoresheet for the first time in an Old Firm match chalking up a brace in a 5-1 victory in November and scoring the equaliser in the 2-2 New Years Day match at Ibrox Stadium. Throughout the season Larsson forged a mutually prolific partnership with diminutive Slovakia playmaker Lubo Moravcik. The season however did mark the player's coming of age as a goal scorer. Playing in a more advanced striker's role Larsson notched up 38 goals ending the season as both Celtic and Scotland's top goal scorer. Henrik Larsson was also awarded the honours of SPFA Players' Player of the Year, SFWA Footballer of the Year and Guldbollen.

1999–2000

The 1999-00 season saw yet another change in management for Celtic. Former Liverpool F.C. and England National Football Team winger, John Barnes (footballer) replaced the outgoing Jozef Venglos to become player-manager at the club. The season started very brightly for Larsson as Henrik Larsson notched up 8 league goals in only 9 games for the club. During Celtic's 1–0 defeat in a UEFA Cup tie against Olympique Lyonnais, Larsson suffered a career-threatening injury, breaking Henrik Larsson leg in two places. This resulted in Henrik Larsson spending eight months on the sidelines, only returning on the last day of the 1999–00 season. John Barnes cited Larsson's injury as being a "big factor" in why Henrik Larsson was sacked by Celtic after only months in the position. By the time Larsson had completed Henrik Larsson rehabilitation John Barnes had been sacked and replaced by Director of Football and Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish as interim manager. Larsson made Henrik Larsson comeback with a substitute appearance against Dundee United F.C. at Celtic Park on the final day of the Scottish Premier League season.

2000–2001

Following the arrival Martin O'Neill in the summer of 2000, Larsson went on to have what would become Henrik Larsson most successful season for Celtic. As Larsson forged a prolific partnership with new arrival Chris Sutton Henrik Larsson scored an incredible 35 league goals in 38 league games to become SPL Top Goalscorer and to win the European Golden Boot. The season saw Celtic lift the domestic treble of the Scottish League Cup, Scottish Cup and the Scottish Premier League. Larsson scored an incredible hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock F.C. at Hampden Park to win the Scottish League Cup as well as a brace in the Scottish Cup in a 3-0 win over Hibernian F.C.. Other personal highlights for Larsson included scoring Henrik Larsson 50th goal of the season against Rangers at Ibrox in a 3-0 victory and finishing the season with a total of 53 goals in all competitions. Henrik Larsson was again voted SPFA Players' Player of the Year as well as SFWA Footballer of the Year.

2001–2002

Larsson's fifth season at the club yielded a second consecutive Scottish Premier League title for the club. It also marked the club's first foray into the UEFA Champions League group stage. Larsson scored Henrik Larsson first Champions League goal with a penalty in Celtic's opening fixture in a controversial 3-2 defeat to Juventus F.C. in Turin. Henrik Larsson scored again for Celtic in the Champions league campaign with the solitary goal in a 1-0 victory over F.C. Porto and again from the penalty spot against Juventus in a thrilling 4-3 victory at Celtic Park. Despite achieving a Scottish record of 9 points in the group stage Celtic failed to qualify for the latter stages and parachuted into the UEFA Cup. The club were drawn against Valencia CF with Larsson scoring the 2nd leg goal to take the tie into penalties which Celtic eventually lost. Larsson once again ended the season as SPL Top Goalscorer with 29 goals from 33 league appearances.

2002–2003

The 2002-03 season proved to be one of the most memorable in Celtic's history as the club reached the UEFA Cup Final. After losing out on a place in the UEFA Champions League following a shock away goals defeat to FC Basel Celtic parachuted into the UEFA Cup. The first round saw the paired with Lithuanian side FK Suduva with Larsson scoring a hat-trick in the 8-1 1st leg victory as they progressed 10-1 on aggregate after adding a 2-0 away win. The 2nd round saw former Ranger's player-manager Graeme Souness Blackburn Rovers side visit Celtic Park in a matched dubbed The Battle of Britain. After a tough fought game Celtic came went into the 2nd leg at Ewood Park 1-0 courtesy of a late Larsson goal. After comments from the Blackburn players in the media who felt their team deserved the win claiming that the tie was "like men against boys", Larsson answered the critics with the opening strike in a 2-0 away win. The following rounds saw Celtic see off Celta Vigo 2-2 on away goals and VfB Stuttgart 5-4 on aggregate. Larsson was to miss both ties with VfB Stuttgart following a broken jaw in an SPL match against Livingston F.C.. Larsson returned from injury in time for Celtic's Battle of Britain II Quarter Final clash with 2001 winners Liverpool F.C.. Despite Celtic's chances of progression being written off by press on both sides of the Anglo-Scottish Border Celtic defeated Liverpool 3-1 on aggregate with Larsson scoring the opener in a 1-1 1st leg draw followed by a 2-0 Celtic victory at Anfield Stadium. Celtic met unfashionable Portuguese side Boavista FC in the semi-final. After a cautious game at Celtic Park, Boavista took the advantage on away goals into the 2nd leg after a 1-1 draw in which Larsson scored the equaliser after missing a penalty. The 2nd leg saw Boavista attempt to play out their advantage but Larsson struck for Celtic after a one-two with John Hartson with only ten minute remaining. The goal sent Celtic through to their first European Final since 1970. The final in Seville against José Mourinho's Porto saw Celtic finish as credible runners-up after a hard fought 3-2 defeat after extra time. The match saw Larsson pick up the man of the match award after equalising twice for Celtic with two sublime headers. Larsson also finished runner-up to FC Porto Helder Postiga in the competition's Top Scorer Charts. Larsson described the pain of the defeat as being the worst moment of Henrik Larsson career, including Henrik Larsson leg break. More disappointment was to follow as Celtic finished up runners up to Rangers on the last day of the SPL season. 2003 also saw Larsson voted as the UEFA Jubilee Awards as part of the UEFA Jubilee Awards. Henrik Larsson also finished the season yet again the Top SPL Goalscorer with 28 goals from 35 games.

2003–2004

Larsson's seventh and final season for Celtic saw the club lift the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Cup. After parachuting from the UEFA Champions League, Celtic also managed to reach the UEFA Cup Quarter Finals eliminating FC Barcelona on the way before crashing out 3-1 on aggregate to Villarreal CF. Larsson scored Henrik Larsson only UEFA Champions League goal of the season against RSC Anderlecht in a 3-1 win at Celtic Park. Henrik Larsson added to Henrik Larsson European goal tally with the equaliser in a 1st Leg Quarter Final tie at Celtic Park versus Villarreal. After previously having a credible goal chalked off for handball the match ended 1-1. This was to prove Larsson's final European goal for Celtic. Celtic executed their revenge for the previous season's heartache on rivals Rangers by defeating the club in all five Old Firm fixtures that season. Larsson's final Old Firm goal came in a 2-1 SPL win at Ibrox, an opening goal which was a header from a cross. Larsson's final competitive game at home for Celtic came in a league match against Dundee United. In an emotional match, Larsson scored both goals as Celtic went on to win 2-1. In Henrik Larsson last competitive appearance for Celtic, Henrik Larsson scored two goals (with either foot) to defeat and win the 2004 Scottish Cup Final. Henrik Larsson gave a teary goodbye at Henrik Larsson testimonial match against Sevilla FC in front of a capacity crowd at Celtic Park, Glasgow. In all, Larsson scored 242 goals for Celtic in 315 matches and left the club as the Scottish Premier League All-Time Leading Goalscorer with 158 goals. Henrik Larsson was also voted Guldbollen for the second time for the 2003-04 season.

Testimonials

Since leaving Celtic Park in June 2004, Larsson has returned to play for Celtic in testimonial matches twice. First in May 2005, for Jackie McNamara testimonial against Republic of Ireland national football team, which was also incidentally Martin O'Neill's final match in charge. Henrik Larsson second guest appearance was in May 2008 for the Phil O'Donnell Memorial Match. Larsson played as part of the Celtic 1998 championship-winning side against the Motherwell F.C. 1991 Scottish Cup winning side. The match was played in memory of Larsson's former team mate Phil O'Donnell, who died earlier in the season in a match for Motherwell against Dundee United. Larsson, who scored in the 5-1 victory for Celtic, left Sweden's national training camp early to take part in the game.

FC Barcelona

At the end of the 2003–04 season Larsson left Celtic on a free transfer and signed a one year contract with FC Barcelona with an option for a second year.

Larsson's played only a nominal part in Barça's La Liga win in Henrik Larsson first season at Barcelona. Henrik Larsson scored three goals in 12 Liga games and one goal (against Henrik Larsson former club Celtic) in four UEFA Champions League matches. After the game Henrik Larsson said "It was very difficult for me to celebrate my goal because I had so many great times here."

On 20 November 2004, during the 3–0 victory in the Derby (football) versus Real Madrid, Larsson tore the anterior cruciate ligament and Meniscus (anatomy) in Henrik Larsson left knee. Despite having missed most of the 2004–05 season, Barcelona took the option to extend Henrik Larsson contract. In 2005–06 Larsson scored 10 goals as Barcelona won La Liga for a second consecutive year.

In January 2006, Larsson announced that at the end of Henrik Larsson contract, which ended in July, Henrik Larsson would leave Barcelona and return to Sweden to end Henrik Larsson career. Henrik Larsson revealed that Henrik Larsson had politely refused a verbal promise by club president Joan Laporta to extend Henrik Larsson contract to the end of the next season. News of Henrik Larsson departure provoked praise from Henrik Larsson teammates, including Ronaldinho, who said, "With Henrik leaving us at the end of the season this club is losing a great scorer, no question. But I am also losing a great friend. Henrik was my idol and now that I am playing next to Henrik Larsson it is fantastic."

In Henrik Larsson final game for Barcelona, Henrik Larsson won Henrik Larsson first UEFA Champions League medal. Larsson came on as a substitute and assisted both of Barcelona's goals in a 2–1 win over Arsenal F.C.. Thierry Henry paid tribute to Larsson's contribution to Barcelona's win after the game, saying, "People always talk about Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Ludovic Giuly and everything, but I didn't see them today, I saw Henrik Larsson. Henrik Larsson came on, Henrik Larsson changed the game, that is what killed the game. Sometimes you talk about Ronaldinho and Eto'o and people like that; you need to talk about the proper footballer who made the difference, and that was Henrik Larsson tonight."
Indeed Henrik Larsson ability to give Barcelona the cutting edge required to overcome Arsenal was noted by the international press.

Helsingborg

After Sweden's elimination from the 2006 FIFA World Cup on 24 June 2006, Larsson joined up with Henrik Larsson former club, Helsingborgs IF. Henrik Larsson made Henrik Larsson second debut for Henrik Larsson home town club against Hammarby IF in the Svenska Cupen on 6 July 2006.

Loan to Manchester United

Shortly after rejoining Helsingborg, Larsson was signed on loan by Manchester United F.C.. United announced that Larsson would be on loan from 1 January until 12 March 2007, coinciding with the Swedish league's off season. Henrik Larsson scored on Henrik Larsson debut against Aston Villa F.C. in the FA Cup Third Round on 7 January 2007 at Old Trafford. Larsson scored Henrik Larsson first ever Premier League goal on 31 January in a 4–0 win over Watford F.C.. Larsson then scored on Henrik Larsson last appearance at Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt in a 1–0 UEFA Champions League win over Lille OSC on 7 March 2007 to give United a 2-0 win on aggregate.

Whilst United were eager to extend the loan deal, Larsson stated that Henrik Larsson had made a promise to Henrik Larsson family and Henrik Larsson club to return on 12 March. This was confirmed on 20 February, when Larsson announced that Henrik Larsson would not be extending Henrik Larsson loan period. Despite this, Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for the striker, who scored three goals in 13 matches in all competitions during Henrik Larsson three-month stay, saying, "He's been fantastic for us, we tried everything we could to get Henrik Larsson to stay longer, but Henrik Larsson made a promise and you have to respect that." Larsson made Henrik Larsson final appearance for United on 10 March in a sixth round FA Cup tie away to Middlesbrough F.C., ending in a 2–2 draw.

Manchester United won the Premier League 2006-07 two months after Larsson had left the club, and although Henrik Larsson had not played the required quota of 10 league games to qualify for a Premier League winners medal, he, alongside Alan Smith (footballer born 1980), was granted special dispensation by the Premier League after the club requested extra medals for the two.

International career

Larsson's international record is impressive with 37 goals in 102 games, many of which Henrik Larsson played in midfield or as a winger. Henrik Larsson scored Henrik Larsson first international goal in Henrik Larsson debut, during the World Cup Qualifications stage against Finland. Henrik Larsson first Football World Cup goal came at the Football World Cup 1994 against Bulgaria in the third place match to help Sweden win the bronze.

Sweden did not qualify to the Football World Cup 1998, but reappeared on the global stage four years later at the Football World Cup 2002. Larsson helped guide Sweden out of the group of death and into the knockout round with a 2-1 win over Nigeria in which Henrik Larsson scored both goals. Henrik Larsson then scored in the round of sixteen match against Senegal, though Sweden ended up losing 1-2 in extra time to a golden goal and were eliminated.

Larsson originally chose to retire from International football after that World Cup. Henrik Larsson decision was met with much dismay in Henrik Larsson homeland and there was much clamoring for Henrik Larsson to return to the team for their campaign at 2004 UEFA European Football Championship in Portugal). Despite initially maintaining Henrik Larsson decision to retire, Henrik Larsson eventually returned to the national side at the behest of Henrik Larsson son, and to great effect, scoring three goals in four matches and leading Sweden to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated in a penalty shootout (football) by the Netherlands national football team. Larsson's tremendous diving header against Bulgaria was voted Best Goal of the 2004 European Championships.

Larsson also featured at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Henrik Larsson scored in the final minute of the match against England for Sweden to draw the match 2–2 in their final game in the group stages, thus becoming only the sixth player to score in three World Cup finals. The goal also sealed Sweden's qualification for the second round of the tournament. However in Sweden's Round of 16 game against host Germany, Henrik Larsson blasted a penalty over the bar and Sweden went out with the score at 2-0 to Germany.

Henrik Larsson retired from international football for the second time on 17 July 2006. "It is time to quit now. It feels right. I'm done with the national team," the 34-year-old Larsson told TV station Canal Plus. However Sweden boss Lars Lagerbäck managed to lure Larsson out of international retirement once more and on 13 May 2008, the Swedish FA officially declared that Larsson had agreed to make a comeback and play for UEFA Euro 2008 squads .C2.A0Sweden once again in Euro 2008.

After former team captain Fredrik Ljungberg decided to quit the Sweden national football team, Larsson was chosen to become the new captain in a friendly against France national football team on 20 August 2008.

International goals

Personal life

Larsson's father is from the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of West Africa, and Henrik Larsson mother is Swedish. In 1996 Henrik Larsson married Henrik Larsson childhood sweetheart, Magdalena. They have two children, Jordan Larsson (born 1997) and Janelle Larsson (born 2002).

On 6 June 2009, before Sweden national football team 1-0 loss against Denmark national football team, Larsson's brother Robert Larsson was found dead in Henrik Larsson flat in Helsingborg, in south-west Sweden. Henrik was not told until after the match had concluded.