Henrik Larsson was idolised by Ronaldinho, revered by Sir Alex Ferguson and new Barcelona coach earned respect from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry
Ronald Koeman’s first signing as Barcelona boss many not be the most high-profile name, but it could well prove to be one of his most savvy appointments.
The Blaugrana replaced Quique Setien with Koeman after the embarrassing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and Henrik Larsson followed him onto the club’s coaching staff.
The 48-year-old has signed a two-year deal knowing what it takes to succeed having lifted two LaLiga titles and the Champions League during his two-year stint as a player at Camp Nou.
Henrik Larsson is a certified Celtic legend
Koeman played alongside the Swede at Feyernoord, yet it was at Celtic and then Manchester United where Larsson illustrated his world class potential.
His scoring stats in Glasgow were absolutely incredible; 242 goals in 315 competitive matches which warranted four Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.
Yet the fact he spent his prime years (from the age of 25 to 32) north of the border almost seemed criminal for a striker who earned 106 caps for Sweden.
In 2004, with just one year left on his contract at Parkhead, Larsson moved to Barcelona at the age of 33 and played a crucial role in the club’s return to the pinnacle of European football.
Despite pleas from the club’s president to stay for a third year, Larsson returned to his native Sweden, before one last hurrah at the big time as he joined Manchester United on a short term deal.
So just how good was he?
Koeman has left his job with the Netherlands to take on the Barca job
Ronaldinho
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona teammate had an intense love for the Swede.
“When he came to Barcelona, Henrik said nice things about me but by the time he left he was my idol.
“In fact, he was my idol even before that. I remember him playing for Sweden in the 1994 World Cup. Henrik taught me a lot about football and I learned even more from him as a person.
“I was disappointed that he left for Sweden because I would have loved to have played with him for longer.”
Ronaldinho revered the Sweden international
Gianluigi Buffon
Juventus and Italy legend Buffon was another who rated the Swede after several Champions League clashes.
“Over my career I have played against some of the best strikers there has ever been. Both Ronaldos, Roberto Baggio, Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and I can honestly say Larsson is not out of place in those names.
“I faced him against Celtic and Sweden and he was a player to fear, he was very special.
“Celtic got his best years and I am sure the fans will always remember how fantastic it was to have one of the best players in the world for so many seasons.”
Larsson played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford
Juliano Belletti
The Brazilian scored the winner in the 2006 Champions League final thanks to Larsson’s second assist.
“Larsson was someone for whom I had a lot of respect,” Belletti told The Athletic. “I remembered watching him play at the 1994 World Cup. I knew about all the titles he had won and the goals he had scored.
“At Barcelona, I saw that he was also an exemplary professional, and a guy of real humility. He had a brilliant attitude, both as a player and a person. He was a great influence in the squad.”
“I always say that I played with some of the best forwards in the history of football. Larsson was one of them.”
Larsson came off the bench to win the Champions League final for Barcelona
Thierry Henry
The Frenchman was Arsenal captain against Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.
“People always talk about Ronaldinho, and everything, but I didn’t see him today, I saw Henrik Larsson. He came on; he changed the game, that is what killed the game,” he said.
“All the time you talk about Ronaldinho and Eto’o and people like that. Let’s talk about the proper people who make the difference; that was Henrik Larsson, who made two assists. I didn’t see Ronaldinho and I didn’t see Eto’o.”
A despondent Henry still found the time to applaud the Swede
Sir Alex Ferguson
The Scotsman signed Larsson in 2007 and knew he was perfect for Manchester United.
“On arrival at United, he seemed a bit of a cult figure with our players,” he revealed. “They would say his name in awed tones. For a man of 35, his receptiveness to information on the coaching side was amazing.
“At every session he was rapt. He wanted to listen to Carlos Queiroz, the tactics lectures, he was into every nuance of what we did.
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“In training he was superb, his movement, his positional play. His three goals for us was no measure of his contribution.
“In his last game in our colours at Middlesbrough we were winning 2-1 and Henrik went back to play in midfield and ran his balls off. On his return to the dressing room, all the players stood up and applauded him and the staff joined in. It takes some player to make that kind of impact in two months.”
Sir Alex was wowed by the veteran striker after signing him in 2007
Xavi
The Spaniard was a future Barcelona captain when Larsson joined in 2004.
“From the first day I saw him in training, the way he moved and the way he was in the box, I knew he was going to be a really good player for us,” he said.
“The impact he had on the team was so important. In the final of the Champions League he made the assists for the goals that helped us win the trophy.
“He was so important for us and he was loved by the supporters and his teammates.”
In just two years, Larsson became a Barca legend
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