Henrik Larsson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Henrik Larsson

Larsson in 2014
Personal information
Date of birth	(1971-09-20) 20 September 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth	Helsingborg, Sweden
Height	1.77 m
Playing position	Striker
Youth career
1977–1988	Högaborgs BK
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1989–1991	Högaborgs BK	64	(23)
1992–1993	Helsingborgs IF	56	(51)
1993–1997	Feyenoord	101	(26)
1997–2004	Celtic	221	(174)
2004–2006	Barcelona	40	(13)
2006–2009	Helsingborgs IF	84	(38)
2007	→ Manchester United (loan)	7	(1)
2012	Råå IF	1	(0)
2013	Högaborgs BK	1	(0)
Total		575	(325)
National team
1992–1993	Sweden U21	12	(4)
1997	Sweden B	1	(0)
1993–2009	Sweden	106	(37)
Teams managed
2010–2012	Landskrona BoIS
2014	Falkenbergs FF
2015–2016	Helsingborgs IF
2019	Helsingborgs IF
Honours Men's football Representing  Sweden FIFA World Cup Third 1994 United States
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Henrik Larsson is a famous Swedish football coach and former player. He was born on September 20, 1971. Larsson played as a striker, which means he was a forward player whose main job was to score goals. He started his career at Högaborgs BK and became well-known for his time at Celtic in Scotland and Barcelona in Spain.

Many people think he is one of the best foreign players to ever play in Scottish football. He won many titles, including league championships and cups. He also helped the Swedish national team win a bronze medal at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Larsson is known for his amazing goal-scoring skills and his hard work on the field. After he stopped playing, he became a football manager.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Henrik Larsson was born in Helsingborg, Sweden. His father was from Cape Verde and his mother was Swedish. They decided he should use his mother's last name to make things easier for him in Sweden.

Henrik's father gave him a football when he was very young. He loved football from a young age. He practiced with his brothers and friends near his home. He also watched English football on TV and was inspired by the famous player Pelé.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Out in Sweden

Larsson began playing for a smaller club called Högaborgs BK when he was six. This club was known for teaching young players well. He started playing for their senior team at age 17 while still in school.

In 1992, he joined Helsingborgs IF, the main club in his hometown. In his first year, he scored 34 goals! This helped Helsingborg get promoted to the top Swedish league, the Allsvenskan, after 24 years.

Moving to the Netherlands: Feyenoord

In 1993, Larsson moved to the Dutch team Feyenoord. It took him some time to get used to playing in a new country. He won his first major trophies here, helping Feyenoord win the KNVB Cup twice.

Becoming a Legend at Celtic

In 1997, Larsson joined Celtic in Scotland. He quickly became a key player. In his first season, he helped Celtic win their first league title in ten years. This stopped their rivals, Rangers, from winning a record nine titles in a row.

In 1999, Larsson suffered a serious injury, breaking his leg. Many worried his career might be over. But he worked hard and came back stronger. In the 2000–01 season, he scored an incredible 53 goals! This earned him the European Golden Shoe award for being the top scorer in Europe.

Larsson won four league titles with Celtic. He also helped them reach the 2003 UEFA Cup final, where he scored two goals, but they lost 3-2 in extra time. Celtic fans loved him so much they called him The King of Kings. He scored 242 goals in 313 matches for Celtic.

Success at Barcelona

In 2004, Larsson moved to Barcelona in Spain. Even though he had a serious knee injury in his first season, Barcelona extended his contract.

In his final match for Barcelona, the 2006 UEFA Champions League final, he came on as a substitute. He made two amazing assists that helped Barcelona win 2-1 against Arsenal. Even famous players like Thierry Henry said Larsson changed the game. He won two league titles with Barcelona.

Back to Helsingborg and Manchester United Loan

After leaving Barcelona, Larsson returned to his hometown club, Helsingborgs IF, in 2006. He helped them win the Swedish Cup.

In early 2007, he had a short loan spell at Manchester United in England. He scored on his debut and impressed everyone with his skill and professionalism. Manager Alex Ferguson wanted him to stay longer, but Larsson had promised his family and Helsingborg that he would return. Manchester United won the Premier League that season, and even though Larsson didn't play enough games to get a medal, he was a valuable part of their team.

Larsson continued playing for Helsingborg until he announced his retirement from football on October 20, 2009.

Playing After Retirement

Even after officially retiring, Larsson still played football sometimes. In 2012, he played one game for a Swedish fifth-division team called Råå IF. In 2013, he played for his first club, Högaborg, and even played alongside his son, Jordan Larsson, in one match!

International Career with Sweden

Larsson played for the Swedish national team 106 times and scored 37 goals.

1994 FIFA World Cup

He was part of the Swedish team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Sweden did very well, finishing in third place! Larsson scored his first World Cup goal in the third-place match against Bulgaria, which Sweden won 4-0.

European Championships and World Cups

Larsson played in three UEFA European Championship tournaments (Euro 2000, Euro 2004, Euro 2008) and three FIFA World Cups (1994, 2002, 2006). He scored important goals in these tournaments. At Euro 2004, his amazing diving header against Bulgaria was voted the best goal of the tournament.

He retired from international football twice, but came back to play for his country when they needed him. He was even captain of the national team.

Managerial Career

After his playing career, Larsson became a football manager. He managed several Swedish clubs, including Landskrona BoIS, Falkenberg, and his former club Helsingborgs IF.

In 2020, he joined FC Barcelona as an assistant coach to Ronald Koeman. He stayed there until October 2021.

Other Sports

Did you know Henrik Larsson also played floorball? He played it competitively in 1989 and even returned to play for Helsingborg in the Swedish Super League in 2008!

Personal Life

Henrik Larsson is married to Magdalena Spjuth. They have a son, Jordan Larsson, who is also a professional footballer and has played for Sweden. They also have a daughter, Janelle, who is a talented show jumper. In 2009, his younger brother Robert passed away.

Career Statistics

Club Summary

International Summary

Managerial Statistics Summary

Awards and Achievements

With Feyenoord

• KNVB Cup: 1993–94, 1994–95 (Dutch Cup winner)

With Celtic

• Scottish Premier League: 1997–98, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04 (Scottish League Champion)
• Scottish Cup: 2000–01, 2003–04 (Scottish Cup winner)
• Scottish League Cup: 1997–98, 2000–01 (Scottish League Cup winner)
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2002–03

With Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06 (Spanish League Champion)
• Supercopa de España: 2005 (Spanish Super Cup winner)
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06 (Champions League winner)

With Helsingborg

• Svenska Cupen: 2006 (Swedish Cup winner)

With Manchester United

• Premier League: 2006–07 (English League Champion)

With Sweden National Team

• FIFA World Cup third place: 1994 (Bronze Medal)

Individual Awards

Statue of Larsson in his hometown Helsingborg

• Guldbollen: 1998, 2004 (Award for best Swedish footballer)
• Scottish Premier League Golden Boot: 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04 (Top scorer in Scottish League)
• European Golden Boot: 2001 (Top scorer in European leagues)
• UEFA Euro 2004: Team of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament
• UEFA Golden Player: Named the Greatest Swedish Footballer of the Last 50 Years in 2003.
• Inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame

Images for kids

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  Larsson at his school in Helsingborg, June 1993

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  Larsson warming up for Barcelona in 2005

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  Larsson playing for Barcelona against Deportivo in 2006

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  Larsson before a testimonial match for John Kennedy in 2011

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  Larsson with Sweden at the 2006 FIFA World Cup

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  Larsson and his teammates greeted by Swedish fans after the 1994 FIFA World Cup

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  Larsson taking a free kick for Sweden at Euro 2004

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  Larsson as manager of Falkenberg in 2014

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  Larsson with his wife Magdalena in 2014