Larsson says tearful farewell

Swedish striker plays his final ever match

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 29th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Larsson says tearful farewell

Larsson: Calls time on his career

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Henrik Larsson bid a tearful farewell to professional football after he played his last ever game for hometown club Helsingborg.

The 38-year-old began his career with Hogaborg before spells with Helsingborg, Feyenoord, Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United yielding a total of 415 goals.

The striker was also a vital member of the Swedish national team making over 100 appearances for his country scoring 37 goals.

The prolific marksman won four SPL titles with Celtic, two La Liga crowns with Barca as well as a UEFA Champions League winners' medal in 2006 and a Premier League title while on loan at United.

The result in his final game was not fitting for someone who has given football so much as Helsingborg sank to a 2-0 defeat to Djurgarden.

An emotional Larsson was close to tears when video tributes from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, former Sweden coach Lars Lagerback and international team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic were displayed on a huge screen after the match.

"It really hits you when you meet all this love," he said. "I'm normally quite a cool character but right now I feel like I could cry.

"It's huge to be able to end it on our home ground and it has to end some time. It's rubbish to end things this way (with a defeat) but you can't have everything in life."

Moving

Larsson was also moved that Helsingborg had decided to retire his number 17 shirt in his honour: "It's a fantastic gesture by the club, to retire it for ever. I'm very moved."

Larsson admitted that retirement had already left him feeling empty and revealed he would like to remain in the game in some capacity.

"I don't know if I have to go down to the employment agency and do certain things, but I have the luck and luxury to be able to say no to jobs which are offered to me," he pointed out.

"But obviously there is an emptiness at present, and I need to fill that emptiness with something.

"I'm fortunate enough to have earned enough money to be able to sit back and not panic, but I have to do something. I can't just glide through the rest of my life."

Comments (107)

Disco Dave (Celtic fan) says...

Henrik Larsson is the king of kings! £650k is a steal to get a player of this quality, coming back from the leg break that would have finished lesser men, the 50+ goals season when we won the treble, losing the dreads! and I can always tell my children that I saw Celtic score twice in a European club final and this man scored both goals! I had tears in my eyes in 2004 when he left Celtic but 2 years later he helped his beloved Hoops qualify for the Champions League group stages when he turned the 2006 Champions League final on it's head, even Thierry Henry said he was a great player! God bless you Henrik and lets hope you come back to the Hoops in some capacity one day :)

Posted 15:30 3rd November 2009

James T (Celtic fan) says...

the best player i have personally ever seen in my life time. i have never seen a player who you knew when he played he would score or create a goal. for me he is not the best of all time but he is up there, and definately has sealed his spot as the best forward of all time. i know it is sad to say but celtic will certainly never see a player of this caliber again. thanks for the years and apologies for the couple fans who booed you on your return with barca, you are the no.1 celtic hero in every fans hearts.

Posted 01:28 3rd November 2009

Jaime Perkins (Manchester United fan) says...

Very rare to read these things and not see 1 negative comment. Goes to show what a absolute legend the man is. Man Utd have had some top quality players over the years but when I heard Henrik was coming on loan, a real buzz of excitement, even at the age of 35??!?!?! LEGEND!

Posted 08:39 2nd November 2009

Andrew Hendo (Manchester United fan) says...

such a great player and a great man, you gave football fans and the game so much, a true competitor and ambassador, such a great role model, thanks and goodluck with your future...

Posted 20:50 1st November 2009

Danny Wilson (Manchester United fan) says...

what a legend, wish you joined united earlier in your career, what a player.

Posted 20:02 1st November 2009

Lee Samuel (Manchester United fan) says...

thank you henrik, sheringham in dequise!!!!!! and ole in the finnish...........

Posted 19:38 1st November 2009

Remco Kind (Arsenal fan) says...

Feyenoord Fan - What a loss to football. This man was the best! He was a hero in Rotterdam before he left for bigger and better things... He will be missed...

Posted 10:11 1st November 2009

Stilian Petrov(celtic) (Celtic fan) says...

Henrik Larsson made all the right decisions in his career, paid credit to celtic by staying there for 7 years as they made him the player he was, he says so himself, then done what he wanted - played with the best english team & the best spanish team, won the champions league for barca with his unique pass, the guy is just a football legend & a true gentleman at the same time, & to finish his career with his home team when he could have played with a champions league team is just a phenomenal thing to do. Words wouldnt describe this man. Looking forward to see you in management Henrik ... & especially looking forward to you returning to paradise as manager & bringing more unforgettable memories. YOU ARE OUR LARSSON OUR HENRIK LARSSON YOU MADE US HAPPY WHEN SKYS WERE GREY YOU PLAYED FOR CELTIC & YOUR OUR HERO ... OH WHY DID THEY TAKE OUR LARSSON AWAY!!!

Posted 00:05 1st November 2009

Kevin Super (Celtic fan) says...

Quite simply the best player ever to wear a Celtic jersey and somewhat overlooked because he played in Scotland, but he still did himself proud at barca and man utd, a true proffesional and always welcome back HAIL HAIL HENRIK.

Posted 20:12 31st October 2009

Ben Tumbo (Chelsea fan) says...

You were truly exceptional both as a player and your personality on the field. Good luck Henrik.

Posted 06:11 31st October 2009

Mahdi Abd (Barcelona fan) says...

Brilliant mind, one of the smartest footballers I have ever seen, nice and likely character, One piece of my little heart is occupied by you, forever! God bless you, See you on the bench!

Posted 23:32 30th October 2009

Fraser Soutar (Celtic fan) says...

Henrik brought a real ray of sunshine to the scottish game, he tagged on the end of an amazing Rangers era that had Laudrup and Gazza in it(2 truely world class players) and created his own, movement, vision, workrate and clinical finishing he was in my opinion the complete striker and will always be (quite rightly) held up as a ture football legend!! Hail Hail Henrik

Posted 21:29 30th October 2009

Jack Young (Celtic fan) says...

Henrik Larsson, what can you really say about this player? Such a phenomenal asset to any club with that aye for goal anybody would kill for. I hope he comes back to Celtic as a coach. Long live King Henrik

Posted 16:33 30th October 2009

Cameron Mckechnie (Celtic fan) says...

Celtic were blessed to keep him for as long as we did. Yeah he was on big money (even by Premiership standards) but he could have walked into any of the Euro giants at any time. Proved he could do it at the highest level in England and in Spain. Who can forget him coming on as a sub for Barca in the CL final and winning the game with two killer passes. True footballing gentleman like him don't come along too often. Enjoy your retirement Henrik, the King of Kings. Hail Hail. PS. Do you fancy taking over from Mowbray? Hopefully before kick off tomorrow!

Posted 15:37 30th October 2009

Nikhil Nair (Barcelona fan) says...

You won everyone's heart. In the 2006 Champions Final, when Barcelona played Arsenal, the talk was all about Ronaldinho. But, he was barely seen as you help them secure the 2nd CL Title (now 3). A truly gifted football player you are! God Bless You!

Posted 11:14 30th October 2009

Damien Nejad (Celtic fan) says...

How could I not give a mention to Henrik? What a player! When I think of all the happiness I experienced, particularly between 2000 and 2004 because of his sublime quality. During my 24 years to date I experienced much happiness mainly through one man - his chip over Klos alone was simply sensational, then there was the likes of Juventus, Liverpool and how could I forget Boavista. I was gutted for him as well as myself in Seville. He deserved more! God Bless Henrik - Celtic legend!!!

Posted 11:05 30th October 2009

Gavin Loudon (Celtic fan) says...

The man , thanks for gracing scottish football with your skills and thanks for the memories hail! hail! ,the king has left the building , good luck in the furture lets hope to see you back at parkhead as bosss one day.

Posted 09:55 30th October 2009

Willy Seme (Manchester United fan) says...

we will be missing king of kings

Posted 09:14 30th October 2009

Russ Durie (Celtic fan) says...

hurry up henrik and get your coaching badges so we can get rid of that dud mowbray and the rest of his crew.hail hail

Posted 08:35 30th October 2009

Baniko Demetriou (Manchester United fan) says...

Its very sad to see such a great player retire. He is a credit to himself and football as a whole. What a player, professional and gentleman. Henrik Larsson epitomises everything that is still good in football at a time when the sport needs it, especially when idiots like Marlon King dragging its name down.

Posted 08:15 30th October 2009

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