Henrik Larsson was born on September 20th, 1971, in Helsingborg, Sweden, and as a child, he was known for frequently getting into fights with his classmates.
His early exposure to soccer came from watching games in Helsingborg, Sweden, with his father, who would take him to see international club teams, including Watford, play. Henrik's enthusiasm for the game was evident even at a young age, as he would often try to join in on the action, much to the annoyance of those around him.
One particular game that stands out in his memory was a cup match for Hogaborg BK at the age of nine, which left a lasting impression on him.
Henrik's first goal was scored when he was just six years old in Högaborg. He later played for the Dutch team Feyenoord from 1993 to 1997, although his time there was not particularly successful.
In 1997, Henrik joined the Scottish team Celtic, but he initially found himself playing on the bench due to injuries. The coach instructed him to play on the left wing, which was not his preferred position, as he preferred to play as an out-and-out striker.
Henrik made his debut for the Swedish national team in a World Cup qualifier against Finland in Helsinki in 1993. The game was a crucial one, and Henrik's goal helped Sweden secure a 3-1 victory.
Sweden went on to participate in the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where they finished in third place, marking an incredible summer for the country.
Henrik's favorite goal to date was a half-volley he scored against Vitesse in his first season with Feyenoord. He describes it as one of those rare shots that can go anywhere, and it was satisfying to catch it just right and watch it fly into the top corner.
In 1996, Henrik got married to his early love, Magdalena, and later became a father to Jordan and Janelle.
After the 2002 World Cup, Henrik decided to retire from the Swedish national team to focus more on his family life. However, during the Euro qualifiers in 2003, his son Jordan asked him why he didn't play for Sweden anymore, and Henrik's desire to play with his team friends led him to make a comeback for the Euro Cup in Portugal in 2004.
Sweden reached the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout against the Netherlands, and Henrik announced that he would continue to play for Sweden until the end of his career.
In August 2004, Henrik signed a contract with Barcelona, which would last until 2007.
