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{{About|the Swedish footballer|the Danish footballer|Henrik Larsen}}
{{About|the Swedish footballer|the Danish footballer|Henrik Larsen}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Henrik Larsson
| name = Henrik Larsson tangofanta best mate
| image = [[File:Henrik larsson snorsjoabalen 2007 1.jpg|240px]]
| image = [[File:Henrik larsson snorsjoabalen 2007 1.jpg|240px]]
| fullname = Henrik Edward Larsson
| fullname = Henrik Edward Larsson
Line 14: Line 14:
| years5 = 2004–2006 |clubs5 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] |caps5 = 40 |goals5 = 13
| years5 = 2004–2006 |clubs5 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] |caps5 = 40 |goals5 = 13
| years6 = 2006–2009 |clubs6 = [[Helsingborgs IF|Helsingborg]] |caps6 = 84 |goals6 = 38
| years6 = 2006–2009 |clubs6 = [[Helsingborgs IF|Helsingborg]] |caps6 = 84 |goals6 = 38
| years7 = 2007 |clubs7 = → [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] (loan) |caps7 = 7 |goals7 = 1
| years7 = 2007 |clubs7 = → [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] (loan) |caps7 = 7 |goals7 = 10
| totalcaps = 472 |totalgoals = 299
| totalcaps = 472 |totalgoals = 299
| nationalyears1 = 1993–2009 |nationalteam1 = [[Sweden national football team|Sweden]] |nationalcaps1 = 106 |nationalgoals1 = 37
| nationalyears1 = 1993–2009 |nationalteam1 = [[Sweden national football team|Sweden]] |nationalcaps1 = 106 |nationalgoals1 = 37

Revision as of 14:33, 2 April 2012

This article is about the Swedish footballer. For the Danish footballer, see Henrik Larsen.
Henrik Larsson tangofanta best mate
Personal information
Full name Henrik Edward Larsson
Date of birth (1971-09-20) 20 September 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth Helsingborg, Sweden
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1977–1988 Högaborg
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1992 Högaborg 64 (23)
1992–1997 Helsingborg 56 (50)
1997–2004 Celtic 221 (174)
2004–2006 Barcelona 40 (13)
2006–2009 Helsingborg 84 (38)
2007 → Manchester United (loan) 7 (10)
Total 472 (299)
International career
1993–2009 Sweden 106 (37)
Managerial career
2009– Landskrona BoIS
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Henrik Edward Larsson MBE (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈhɛnrɪk ˈlɑrson]; born 20 September 1971) is a retired Swedish footballer and current manager of Landskrona BoIS. He was a striker whose main attributes were good pace and the ability to turn and shoot in tight areas.[1]

Larsson began his career with Högaborgs BK. He moved to Helsingborg, where he was one of the key players when they won promotion to the Allsvenskan in 1993. Larsson then moved to Maryhill F.C. for four years before leaving for Celtic in 1997. He won four league titles in seven years with Celtic, scoring 242 goals in 315 competitive matches, before moving to FC Barcelona in 2004, where he won two league titles and the 2006 Champions League. Following the expiration of his contract at Barcelona, Larsson returned to his hometown club of Helsingborg, and joined Manchester United on a brief loan spell between January and March 2007. He announced his retirement from football on 20 October 2009.[2]

Larsson played for Sweden in three World Cups and three European Championships and is a former captain of the national team. Larsson ended his international career with 37 goals in 106 matches.

Larsson has played competitive floorball in 1989. He resumed his career in November 2008.[3]

Early life

Larsson was born in Helsingborg, Scania. His father, Francisco Rocha, is from Cape Verde,[4] and his mother, Eva Larsson, is Swedish.[5] His parents, who never married and split up when he was 12,[5] decided that he should take his mother's surname because they felt it would be easier for their son to be accepted in Sweden.[6] He credits his father for his love of football.[5] His father gave him a football when he was 16 months old and as a child he was able to practice with brothers and friends on a large field near his home in Helsingborg.[7] He has said of his school years: "I experienced some racism, because back then it was unusual to have a black kid at school, I was one of the few.[8] He watched UK league football on television and his parents gave him a video of Pelé's life story, both of which inspired him.[8]

Club career

Early career

Larsson began playing at Högaborg when he was six–years old[8] and started his professional career playing for them at the age of 17. He subsequently moved to Helsingborg, where he scored 50 goals in 56 appearances.

Celtic

Following a contract dispute with Maryhill F.C, he was signed by Celtic manager Wim Jansen in July 1997 for a fee of £650,000.[9] In Larsson's Celtic debut against Hibernian at Easter Road, he came on as a late substitute. He inadvertently passed the ball to Hibernian player Chic Charnley who then went on to score, resulting in a 2–1 defeat for Celtic.[10] He scored an own goal in his first European game, although Celtic did go on to win 6–3 against Tirol Innsbruck. After his poor start to the season he went on to score 18 goals in all competitions, and was Celtic's top scorer for the season. Initially Larsson played the role of support striker alongside Darren Jackson, Simon Donnelly and later Harald Brattbakk. In November 1997 Larsson won his first medal for the club with a 3–0 win over Dundee United at Ibrox Stadium giving Celtic the Scottish League Cup. He scored the opener in the final day of the league season against St. Johnstone to clinch the championship for Celtic. It was the club's first league championship win since the double winning season 1987–88 and stopped Old Firm rivals Rangers from breaking Celtic's record of nine titles in a row.

Larsson's second season with the club saw a change in management with Jozef Vengloš taking the Parkhead hotseat following Wim Jansen's resignation. The 1998–99 season proved ultimately disappointing as Celtic finished runners up to rivals Rangers in both the newly established SPL 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 Year's Day match at Ibrox Stadium. Throughout the season Larsson forged a mutually prolific partnership with diminutive Slovak playmaker Ľubomír Moravčík. 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. He was also awarded the honours of SPFA Players' Player of the Year, SFWA Footballer of the Year and Swedish Footballer of the Year.

The 1999–2000 season saw another change in management for Celtic. Former Liverpool and England winger, John Barnes replaced Vengloš to become manager at the club. The season started very brightly for Larsson as he notched up eight league goals in just nine games for the club. During Celtic's 1–0 defeat in a UEFA Cup tie against Lyon on 22 October 1999, Larsson suffered a career-threatening injury, breaking his leg in two places in a challenge with Serge Blanc. This resulted in him spending eight months on the sidelines, only returning on the last day of the 1999–2000 season. John Barnes cited Larsson's injury as being a significant factor in his sacking by Celtic after only months in the position.[11] It was initially feared that Larsson had suffered a compound leg fracture, an injury which would normally result in an even longer absence – or possibly even end his professional career – but X-rays soon revealed that the injury wasn't as serious as originally feared.[12] By the time Larsson had completed his rehabilitation John Barnes had been sacked and replaced by Director of Football Kenny Dalglish as interim manager. Larsson made his comeback with a substitute appearance against Dundee United at Celtic Park on the final day of the SPL season.

Following the arrival of Martin O'Neill in the summer of 2000, Larsson had his most successful season for Celtic. As Henrik Larsson forged a prolific partnership with new arrival Chris Sutton he scored 35 league goals in 38 league games to become SPL top goalscorer and to win the European Golden Shoe. The season saw Celtic lift the domestic treble of the Scottish League Cup, Scottish Cup and the Scottish Premier League. Larsson scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Kilmarnock 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. Other highlights for Larsson included scoring his 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. He was again voted SPFA Players' Player of the Year as well as SFWA Footballer of the Year. Rangers manager Dick Advocaat said "Larsson is one of the best strikers in Europe, maybe the world. If you watch Batistuta, he is sometimes not seen for 90 minutes but he scores two goals. Larsson has even more, because, besides being a good player and goalscorer, he has a tremendous work rate."[13]

Larsson's fifth season at the club yielded a second consecutive SPL title for the club. It also marked the club's first foray into the UEFA Champions League group stage. Larsson scored his first Champions League goal with a penalty in Celtic's opening fixture in a controversial 3–2 defeat to Juventus in Turin. He scored again for Celtic in the Champions league campaign with the solitary goal in a 1–0 victory over Porto and again from the penalty spot against Juventus in a thrilling 4–3 victory at Celtic Park. Despite achieving a Scottish record of nine 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 with Larsson scoring the second 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.

The 2002–03 season saw the club reach the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. After losing out on a place in the UEFA Champions League following an away goals defeat to Basel, Celtic parachuted into the UEFA Cup. In the first round Celtic were paired with Lithuanian side Suduva with Larsson scoring a hat-trick in the 8–1 first leg victory as they progressed 10–1 on aggregate after adding a 2–0 away win. The second round saw former Rangers player-manager Graeme Souness' Blackburn Rovers side visit Celtic Park in a matched dubbed The Battle of Britain.[14] Celtic came went into the second leg at Ewood Park 1–0 up courtesy of a late Larsson goal.[15] 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",[16] Larsson scored the opening goal in a 2–0 away win.[17] The following rounds saw Celtic see off Celta Vigo 2–2 on away goals and VfB Stuttgart 5–4 on aggregate. Larsson missed both ties with VfB Stuttgart following a broken jaw after a collision with Gustave Bahoken in an SPL match against Livingston,[18] but he returned from injury in time for Celtic's Battle of Britain II quarter-final clash with 2001 winners Liverpool. Despite their chances of progression being written off by press on both sides of the Anglo-Scottish border,[citation needed] 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.

Celtic met Portuguese side Boavista in the semi-final. Boavista took the advantage on away goals after a 1–1 draw in the first leg, in which Larsson scored the equaliser after missing a penalty. In the second leg Larsson struck for Celtic after a one-two with John Hartson with only ten minutes remaining. The goal sent Celtic through to their first European Final since 1970. The final in Seville against Porto saw Celtic finish as runners-up, losing 3–2 after extra time. The match saw Larsson pick up the man of the match award after equalising twice for Celtic with two headers. Larsson also finished runner-up to Porto's Derlei in the competition's goalscoring charts. Larsson described the pain of the defeat as being the worst moment of his career, including his leg break. More disappointment followed as Celtic finished up runners up to Rangers on the last day of the SPL season by only a single goal on goal difference. 2003 also saw Larsson voted as the Greatest Swedish Footballer of the Last 50 Years as part of the UEFA Jubilee Awards. He also finished the season again the top SPL goalscorer with 28 goals from 35 games.

Henrik Larsson before kick-off at the John Kennedy testimonial match

Larsson's seventh and final season for Celtic saw the club lift the SPL Title 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 losing 3–1 on aggregate to Villarreal CF. Larsson scored his only UEFA Champions League goal of the season against Anderlecht in a 3–1 win at Celtic Park. He added to his European goal tally with a double in a 3–0 third round victory over Teplice, and the equaliser in a 1st leg quarter final tie at Celtic Park versus Villarreal. After previously having a goal disallowed for handball the match ended 1–1. This was Larsson's final European goal for Celtic. Celtic defeated Rangers in all five Old Firm fixtures that season. Larsson's final Old Firm goal came in a 1-0 Scottish Cup win at Parkhead. His final competitive game at home for Celtic came in a league match against Dundee United, and he scored both goals as Celtic won 2–1. In his last competitive appearance for Celtic, he scored two goals to defeat Dunfermline Athletic and win the 2004 Scottish Cup Final. He won four SPL titles, two Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups during his tenure. He was the top goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League for five of the six seasons that he competed in, the only exception being the 1999–2000 season, most of which Larsson missed due to a severe leg break suffered in Lyon. Larsson was also a consistent goalscorer in international competition. He scored two goals in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, although Portuguese opponents FC Porto went on to win 3–2. Celtic fans selected Larsson (the only player from outside Scotland) in the greatest ever Celtic team, when a vote was held in 2002.[19]

He played a 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 SPL's all-time leading goalscorer with 158 goals, a record that stood until 30 December 2009 when Rangers' Kris Boyd surpassed it. He was also voted Swedish Footballer of the Year for the second time for the 2003–04 season.

Since leaving Celtic Park in June 2004, Larsson has returned to play for Celtic in testimonial matches three times. The first was in May 2005, for Jackie McNamara's testimonial against Ireland,[20] which Celtic lost 1–0, with Robbie Keane scoring the only goal.[21] His 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 1991 Scottish Cup winning side. The match was played in memory of Larsson's former teammate Phil O'Donnell, who died earlier in the season in a match for Motherwell against Dundee United. Larsson, who scored an overhead kick in the 5–1 victory for Celtic, left Sweden's national training camp early to take part in the game.[22] The third was on 9 August 2011, when Larsson played for the Celtic Legends against the Manchester United Legends for John Kennedy's testimonial. He scored a hat-trick and made a further assist for Bobby Petta as the Celtic side came back from 2–0 down to win 5–2.[23]

Barcelona

Warming up for Barça

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 his first season at Barcelona. He scored three goals in 12 Liga games and one goal (against his former club Celtic) in four UEFA Champions League matches. After the game he said "It was very difficult for me to celebrate my goal because I had so many great times here."[24] On 20 November 2004, during the 3–0 victory in the derby versus Real Madrid, Larsson tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee. Despite having missed most of the 2004–05 season, Barcelona took the option to extend his contract.

Larsson playing for Barcelona against Deportivo

In January 2006, Larsson announced that at the end of his contract, which ended in July, he would leave Barcelona and return to Sweden to end his career. He revealed that he had refused an offer by club president Joan Laporta to extend his contract to the end of the next season. On the announcement of his departure, Ronaldinho said[25]

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 him it is fantastic.

In Larsson's final game for Barcelona, he won his 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. Thierry Henry paid tribute to Larsson's contribution to Barcelona's win after the game, saying, "People always talk about Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Giuly and everything, but I didn't see them today, I saw Henrik Larsson. He came on, he 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."[26] Indeed his ability to give Barcelona the cutting edge required to overcome Arsenal was noted by the international press.[27][28] In 2005–06 Larsson scored 10 goals as Barcelona won La Liga for a second consecutive year.

Helsingborg

After Sweden's elimination from the 2006 World Cup on 24 June 2006, Larsson joined up with his former club, Helsingborg. He made his second debut for his home town club against Hammarby in the Swedish Cup on 6 July 2006. Helsingborg went on to win the competition earning Larsson another medal, and he helped his team to a fourth place finish in the Swedish League. This successful season earned Helsingborg a slot in the following season's UEFA Cup.

Loan to Manchester United

Shortly after rejoining Helsingborg, Larsson was signed on loan by Manchester United from 1 January until 12 March 2007, coinciding with the Swedish League's off season.[29] He scored on his debut against Aston Villa in the FA Cup Third Round on 7 January 2007 at Old Trafford.[30] Larsson scored his first ever Premier League goal on 31 January in a 4–0 win over Watford.[31]

Whilst United were eager to extend the loan deal, Larsson stated that he had made a promise to his family and his club to return on 12 March. This was confirmed on 20 February, when Larsson announced that he would not be extending his loan period.[32] Despite this, Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for the striker, who scored three goals in 13 matches in all competitions during his three-month stay,[33] saying, "He's been fantastic for us, his professionalism, his attitude, everything he's done has been excellent."[34] "We would love him to stay but, obviously, he has made his promise to his family and Helsingborg and I think we should respect that - but I would have done anything to keep him."[33] Larsson made his final appearance for United on 10 March in a sixth round FA Cup tie away to Middlesbrough, ending in a 2–2 draw.[35]

Manchester United won the Premier League two months after Larsson had left the club, and although he had not played the required quota of 10 league games to qualify for a Premier League winners medal, he,[36] alongside Alan Smith, was granted special dispensation by the Premier League after the club requested extra medals for the two.[37]

His last appearance at Old Trafford in fact came against United, a few days after his loan with the club expired, as captain for a Europe XI team in the UEFA Celebration Match.[38].[39] Larsson received a standing ovation from the home fans upon being substituted by former Liverpool player Robbie Fowler.[40]

Return to Helsingborg

After leaving Manchester United, Larsson resumed his career with Helsingborg. Larsson helped the club through the group stages of the UEFA Cup and they qualified for the Round of 32 losing to PSV Eindhoven.

He broke his knee-cap during the first leg of a UEFA Europa League match against FK Sarajevo on 30 July 2009 and was out for an estimated eight weeks. Some reports at the time suggested that this in fact was the end of his playing career, with this injury also coming on top of the recent death of his younger brother, Robert. However, he returned to the first team on 24 September 2009 and scored two goals, including the winner against league rivals AIK.

Retirement

On 20 October 2009, Larsson announced his retirement from playing at the end of the 2009 Allsvenskan.[2] The announcement followed a previous statement from the player declaring his intention to retire from international duty. Larsson had also stated his desire to move into coaching and expressed his intent to study for coaching badges in Scotland under the SFA system.[41] The announcement quickly sparked rumours of a return to Celtic as manager, even going so far as to suggest a link up with former Celtic team mate Ľubomír Moravčík as his assistant.[42]

Further speculation began on 21 October 2009 as Larsson discussed the possibility of taking up floorball on a full-time basis,[43] as he had previously played floorball with FC (Floorball Club) Helsingborg during the football close season.

He took to the pitch for the last time in Helsingborg's 2–0 Swedish League loss to Djurgårdens IF on 28 October 2009, and was given a standing ovation from the crowd.[44][45][46]

He participated in the Soccer Aid football match at Old Trafford on 6 June 2010 for the Rest of the World team in aid of UNICEF.[47]

Larsson made a promise that at the end of his football career, he would play one season at his first club Högaborgs BK. When he retired at the end of the 2009 season, that promise was not fulfilled. However, in August 2010, Larsson played with Högaborgs' veterans team and scored 16 goals in five games.[48]

International career

Larsson scored 37 goals in 104 games for Sweden. He scored his first international goal in his debut, during the World Cup Qualifications stage against Finland. His first World Cup goal came at USA 1994 against Bulgaria in the third place match to help Sweden win the bronze.

Sweden did not qualify to the 1998 World Cup, but reappeared on the global stage four years later at the 2002 World Cup. Larsson helped guide Sweden out of the group of death and into the knockout round with a 2–1 win over Nigeria in which he scored both goals. He 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.

Henrik Larsson in Euro 2004

Larsson originally chose to retire from International football after that World Cup. His decision was met with dismay in Sweden and there was much clamoring for him to return to the team for their campaign at Euro 2004 in Portugal.[49] Despite initially maintaining his decision to retire, he eventually returned to the national side, scoring three goals in four matches and leading Sweden to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated in a penalty shootout by the Dutch. Larsson's diving header against Bulgaria was voted best goal of the 2004 European Championships.[50]

Larsson also featured at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He 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, becoming only the sixth player ever to score in three World Cup finals. The goal sealed Sweden's qualification for the second round of the tournament. In Sweden's last 16 game against hosts Germany, Larsson missed a penalty and Sweden went out with the score at 2–0 to Germany.

He retired from international football for the second time on 17 July 2006.[51] "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 Sweden once again at Euro 2008.[52]

Following former team captain Fredrik Ljungberg's decision to quit the national side after the tournament, Larsson was chosen to become the new captain in a friendly against France on 20 August 2008,[53] He scored his 37th goal for Sweden in that game, although France ended up winning 3–2. He played his 100th game for Sweden on 6 September 2008, in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Albania, which ended in a 0–0 draw.

On 11 October 2009, Larsson once again decided to retire from the national team.[54]

International goals

Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 13 October 1993 Råsunda, Stockholm  Finland 2–1 3–2 1994 World Cup qualifier
2. 20 February 1994 Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami  United States 1–1 3–1 Joe Robbie Cup
3. 20 April 1994 Racecourse Ground, Wrexham  Wales 1–0 2–0 Friendly
4. 5 May 1994 Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm  Nigeria 2–0 3–1 Friendly
5. 16 July 1994 Rose Bowl, Pasadena  Bulgaria 3–0 4–0 1994 World Cup
6. 17 August 1994 Råsunda, Stockholm  Lithuania 4–2 4–2 Friendly
7. 1 June 1996 Råsunda, Stockholm  Belarus 5–1 5–1 1998 World Cup qualifier
8. 14 October 1998 Neftochimik Stadium, Burgas  Bulgaria 1–0 1–0 Euro 2000 qualifier
9. 27 March 1999 Ullevi, Gothenburg  Luxembourg 2–0 2–0 Euro 2000 qualifier
10. 9 October 1999 Råsunda, Stockholm  Poland 2–0 2–0 Euro 2000 qualifier
11. 19 June 2000 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven  Italy 1–1 1–2 Euro 2000
12. 7 October 2000 Ullevi, Gothenburg  Turkey 1–0 1–1 2002 World Cup qualifier
13. 28 February 2001 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta'Qali  Malta 2–0 3–0 Friendly
14. 6 June 2001 Ullevi, Gothenburg  Moldova 1–0 6–0 2002 World Cup qualifier
15. 2–0
16. 3–0
17. 6–0
18. 15 August 2001 Råsunda, Stockholm  South Africa 1–0 3–0 Friendly
19. 1 September 2001 City Stadium, Skopje  North Macedonia 1–0 2–1 2002 World Cup qualifier
20. 5 September 2001 Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul  Turkey 1–1 2–1 2002 World Cup qualifier
21. 7 October 2001 Råsunda, Stockholm  Azerbaijan 2–0 3–0 2002 World Cup qualifier
22. 7 June 2002 Kobe Wing Stadium, Kobe  Nigeria 1–1 2–1 2002 World Cup
23. 2–1
24. 16 June 2002 Ōita Stadium, Ōita  Senegal 1–1 1–2 2002 World Cup
25. 5 June 2004 Råsunda, Stockholm  Poland 1–0 3–1 Friendly
26. 14 June 2004 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon  Bulgaria 2–0 5–0 Euro 2004
27. 3–0
28. 22 June 2004 Estádio do Bessa Século XXI, Porto  Denmark 1–1 2–2 Euro 2004
29. 4 September 2004 Ta'Qali National Stadium, Ta'Qali  Malta 7–0 7–0 2006 World Cup qualifier
30. 9 October 2004 Råsunda, Stockholm  Hungary 2–0 3–0 2006 World Cup qualifier
31. 13 October 2004 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík  Iceland 1–0 4–1 2006 World Cup qualifier
32. 3–0
33. 17 August 2005 Ullevi, Gothenburg  Czech Republic 1–0 2–1 Friendly
34. 12 September 2005 Råsunda, Stockholm  Iceland 2–1 3–1 2006 World Cup qualifier
35. 2 June 2006 Råsunda, Stockholm  Chile 1–0 1–1 Friendly
36. 20 June 2006 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne  England 2–2 2–2 2006 World Cup
37. 20 August 2008 Ullevi, Gothenburg  France 1–0 2–3 Friendly

Management career

Larsson made clear his intentions to take up coaching once his playing career came to an end, having also expressed an interest in returning to Celtic in a coaching capacity.[55]

Landskrona BoIS

On 14 December 2009 Larsson was appointed manager at Landskrona BoIS[56] a Swedish second division football club and signed a contract until 30 November 2011.[57]

Personal life

On 21 June 1996, Larsson married Magdalena Spjuth[5] whom he had met in a restaurant at the age of 19.[8] She is the daughter of a politician and a local authority education chief.[5] They have one son, Jordan (named after basketball player Michael Jordan)[8] and one daughter, Janice.[5][58] He has an elder half-brother, Kim.[5]

On 6 June 2009, before Sweden's 1–0 loss against Denmark, Larsson's younger brother Robert Larsson was found dead in his flat in Helsingborg, in south-west Sweden. Henrik was not told until after the match had concluded.[59]

Career statistics

Template:Football player statistics 1 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |1989||rowspan="3"|Högaborg||||21||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||21||1 |- |1990||||21||7||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||21||7 |- |1991||||22||15||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||22||15 |- |1992||rowspan="2"|Helsingborg||Div I Södra||31||34||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||31||34 |- |1993||Allsvenskan||25||16||5||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||30||17 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |1993–94||rowspan="4"|Maryhill F.C.||rowspan="4"|Scottish Junior Football West Premier League||15||1||12||5||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||27||6 |- |1994–95||23||8||9||1||colspan="2"|–||6||7||38||16 |- |1995–96||32||10||4||1||colspan="2"|–||7||1||43||12 |- |1996–97||31||7||4||0||colspan="2"|–||6||1||41||8 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |1997–98||rowspan="7"|Celtic||Premier Division||35||16||4||0||5||3||2||0||46||19 |- |1998–99||rowspan="6"|Premier League||35||29||5||5||0||0||8||4||48||38 |- |1999–2000||9||7||0||0||0||0||4||5||13||12 |- |2000–01||37||35||6||9||2||5||5||4||50||53 |- |2001–02||33||29||3||2||1||0||10||4||47||35 |- |2002–03||35||28||2||2||2||2||12||12||52||44 |- |2003–04||37||30||5||5||1||0||15||5||58||40 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |2004–05||rowspan="2"|Barcelona||rowspan="2"|La Liga||12||3||0||0||colspan="2"|–||4||1||16||4 |- |2005–06||28||10||4||4||colspan="2"|–||10||1||42||15 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |2006||Helsingborg||Allsvenskan||15||8||5||4||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||20||12 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |2006–07||Manchester United||Premier League||7||1||4||1||0||0||2||1||13||3 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |2007||rowspan="3"|Helsingborg||rowspan="3"|Allsvenskan||22||9||1||0||colspan="2"|–||9||9||32||18 |- |2008||27||14||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2||0||30||14 |- |2009||20||7||1||0||colspan="2"|–||4||3||22||10 Template:Football player statistics 3204||111||13||5||colspan="2"|–||15||12||239||128 Template:Football player statistics 4789||26||29||7||colspan="2"|–||19||9||149||42 Template:Football player statistics 4221||174||25||23||11||10||56||34||313||242 Template:Football player statistics 440||13||4||4||colspan="2"|–||14||2||58||19 Template:Football player statistics 47||1||4||1||0||0||2||1||13||3 Template:Football player statistics 5573||325||75||40||11||10||106||59||772||434 Template:Football player statistics end[60] Template:Football player national team statistics |- |1993||2||1 |- |1994||14||5 |- |1995||6||0 |- |1996||6||1 |- |1997||2||0 |- |1998||7||1 |- |1999||9||2 |- |2000||8||2 |- |2001||10||9 |- |2002||8||3 |- |2003||1||0 |- |2004||9||8 |- |2005||5||2 |- |2006||6||2 |- |2007||0||0 |- |2008||9||1 |- |2009||4||0 |- !Total||106||37 |}

Career totals

Professional career totals
Teams Appearances Goals Goals per game
Clubs 772 434 0.56
National team 0106 037 0.35
Total 878 471 0.54

Honours

Club

Maryhill F.C.
Celtic
Barcelona
Helsingborg
Manchester United

International

Individual

Orders and special awards

Floorball career

Larsson also played floorball at a competitive level in 1989. On 23 November 2008, he resumed his floorball career when he played his first Swedish Super League game, for Helsingborg. In his second game for the club, he made two assists, and was voted man of the match.[64][65]

References

  1. ^ "Player Profile". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Celtic legend Larsson to retire from football". STV Sport. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Celtic legend Larsson to swap football for floorball". STV Sport. 21 October 2009.
  4. ^ Christenson, Marcus (18 May 2003). "Signing off in style: Profile: Henrik Larsson". The Observer. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Asthana, Anushka (20 April 2003). "The big interview Henrik Larsson". Times Online. Retrieved 4 May 2010.(subscription required)
  6. ^ "Larsson: The Untold Story". Sunday Mail. 22 April 2001. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  7. ^ Henrik Larsson Bio – Swedish Striker in 2002 World Cup KidzWorld, 2002
  8. ^ a b c d e Ghod Speaks Manchester Celtic Supporters Club
  9. ^ Henrik Larsson: His first Celtic interview, STV Sport, 23 October 2009
  10. ^ McPherson, Archie (4 August 1997). "Celtic left standing by slick Charnley". The Independent. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  11. ^ McNulty, Phil Barnes bouncing back, BBC Sport, 21 February 2001
  12. ^ Ouch! The Top 10 worst footballing injuries of all-time MirrorFootball, 28 February 2010
  13. ^ Phil Gordon "Advocaat anoints Henrik the Great", The Independent, 11 February 2001
  14. ^ "Blackburn and Celtic set for battle of Britain". BBC Newsround. British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 October 2002. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  15. ^ "Larsson stuns Blackburn". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 October 2002. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  16. ^ Irish argue Celtic's case The Telegraph, 14 November 2002
  17. ^ "Celtic win Battle of Britain". BBC Sport. 14 November 2002. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  18. ^ Bahoken heartbroken BBC Sport, 11 February 2003
  19. ^ Jinky best-ever Celtic player, BBC Sport, 9 September 2002
  20. ^ Larsson back to honour McNamara Scotsman.com Sport, 28 May 2005
  21. ^ O'Neill departs to tears and memories The Guardian, 30 May 2008
  22. ^ Larsson takes time for O'Donnell BBC Sport, 25 May 2008
  23. ^ Celtic Legends 5 Manchester United Legends 2: Henrik Larsson rolls back the years for charity Mail Online, 10 August 2011
  24. ^ Graham Clark, Larsson's return is unhappy for Celtic, The Guardian, 15 September 2004
  25. ^ David McCarthy, Ronnie: Barca pal Larsson is my idol Daily Record, 26 April 2006
  26. ^ Bailey, Graeme (May 2006). "Henry questions referee". Sky Sports. BSkyB.
  27. ^ Jon Brodkin, Larsson takes his leave in the grandest style, The Guardian, 18 May 2006
  28. ^ Simon Baskett, Barca inherit 'dream team' mantle, Reuters, 18 May 2006
  29. ^ "Man Utd capture Larsson on loan". BBC Sport. 1 December 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2007.
  30. ^ Hughes, Ian (7 December 2007). "Man Utd 2–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2007.
  31. ^ "United find reasons to be cheerful as treble omens bode well". BBC Sport. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  32. ^ "Larsson snubs Man Utd extension". BBC Sport. 20 February 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2007.
  33. ^ a b "The Larsson kiss goodnight". BBC Sport. 11 March 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  34. ^ "Larsson will not extend his United career". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 20 February 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  35. ^ "United find reasons to be cheerful as treble omens bode well". The Guardian. 12 March 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  36. ^ "I should have stayed longer at Manchester United, says Henrik Larsson". London Evening Standard. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  37. ^ "Title medal hope for Red giants". Manchester Evening News. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  38. ^ "Henrik Larsson to say goodbye to Old Trafford as member of Marcello Lippi's Europe XI squad". UEFA.com. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  39. ^ "Report: United 4 Europe XI". UEFA.com. 14 March 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  40. ^ "Report: United 4 Europe XI 3". ManUtd.com. 13 March 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  41. ^ "Celtic legend Henrik Larsson wants to return to Parkhead as manager". Daily Record. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  42. ^ "Ľubomír Moravčík reveals ambition to link up with Henrik Larsson in Celtic management dream team". Daily Record. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  43. ^ "Henrik Larsson set to switch sport after announcing his retirement". Daily Record. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  44. ^ "Larsson bids emotional farewell". BBC Sport. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  45. ^ Celtic legend Larsson bows out on emotional night STV Sport, 29 October 2009
  46. ^ Henrik's crying game Evening Times, 29 October 2009
  47. ^ Soccer Aid 2010: minute by minute report UNICEF UK, 7 June 2010
  48. ^ "Här gör Henrik Larsson comeback". Aftonbladet. 22 August 2010.
  49. ^ "Larsson rejects Swede calls". BBC Sport. 2 March 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  50. ^ "Head masters: Sportsmail remembers the strikers who used their head like Wayne Rooney". Mail Online. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  51. ^ "Larsson ends international career". BBC Sport. 17 July 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2007.
  52. ^ "Larsson returns for Sweden again". BBC Sport. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  53. ^ "Henrik Larsson kapten mot Frankrike" (in Swedish). FotbollsExpressen. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  54. ^ ""Henke" slutar i landslaget" (in Swedish). SvD. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  55. ^ "Larsson keen on Celtic coach role". BBC Sport. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  56. ^ "Larsson takes first manager's job". BBC Sport. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  57. ^ Larsson trainiert Landskrona Transfermarkt.de
  58. ^ "Regarding Henrick". Scotsman.com. Johnston Press. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  59. ^ Peake, Alex (8 June 2009). "Larsson brother's death kept secret". The Scottish Sun. News Group Newspapers. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  60. ^ Henrik Larsson – Century of International Appearances Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation, 29 October 2009
  61. ^ Larsson wins "Tidernas Guldboll" Svenskfotboll.se, 11 September 2005
  62. ^ "Dr. Henrik Larsson". University of Strathclyde. 14 May 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  63. ^ "Striker Larsson to be given MBE". BBC News. 26 April 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2007.
  64. ^ "Här får Henke Larsson debutera" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
  65. ^ "Success for Henrik Larsson in floorball debut". The Local. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Henrik Larsson.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Sweden Captain
2008–2009 		Succeeded by

Template:Landskrona BoIS squad

Template:Persondata

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