How GOOD Was PRIME Henrik Larsson?!

34-year-old Henrik Larsson was the main reason Barcelona won the 2006 Champions League Final. That shows just how good this man was in his prime. Often called the King of Kings by Celtic fans, Larsson's career is the stuff of legend. But just how good was prime Henrik Larsson? Let’s find out!
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[@denniss7575]

Zlatan mentioned Larsson as a huge inspiration growing up.

[@tomashogberg8514]

Larsson better too

[@Melik73]

@@tomashogberg8514 you must be a swed!

[@Gabos791]

@@denniss7575 u can’t just make things up. Larsson was still top drawer though even though u talk shite

[@Gabos791]

Even as a rangers supporter I have to admit he’s the greatest player to ever play in Scotland and nobody comes close. I’m 39 and he’s the only world class player I’ve seen in the Scottish prem

[@brianbru]

39, a Rangers fan and you've only seen Larsson as a world class player? I'm a Celtic fan and I'm calling bullshit. Laudrup, and Gascoigne are two names that jump out from Ibrox alone in your life-time. There's been loads of world class players in our league. If you consider the actual phrasing anybody who's represented their country at a world cup is world class. Some better than others, but lots have been in Scottish football.

[@Gabos791]

@@brianbru gazza and laudrup were outstanding for rangers and gave me such good childhood memories. Gazza was miles past his best and Brian laudrup was never world class. Larsson at his peak was world class imo and the only player in my lifetime in the Scottish top flight that was world class. He had it all and a real team player as well. He would’ve won more here as well if my club didn’t cheat financially

[@Indigopilot960]

Not sure he ever hit the heights he did in a Liverpool shirt but what do you think of Van Dijks period at Celtic?

[@joshmore7175]

​@@Indigopilot960 VVD wasn't at his best at Celtic, it was an absolute canter for him, but Larsson gave it all

[@danielkarlsson258]

@@brianbru Are you saying Gazza and Laudrup was better (at the time they played in the league) and made deeper impact on the Scottish league than Larsson? Geez. That is why Larsson was never considered as a Euoropean golden striker. You compare yourselves drunks and players settling down. lol

[@korganrocks3995]

Good stuff, but you left out his achievements for the Swedish national team. He was part of the Swedish team that came third in the 1994 World Cup, and was a vital component of the side two decades, even coming out of international retirement to play one final tournament at the end of his 30s. Oh, and he scored the goal of the tournament at the 2004 Euros(that beautiful diving header).

[@chrisv384]

he only played the last 20 min of the bronze match in ´94.

[@TzOn79]

@@chrisv384 And thats make him a part off the Swedish team. And he played more matches than that in that tournament.

[@korganrocks3995]

@@chrisv384 He also came on as a substitute in the group game against Cameroon and hit the crossbar with a shot from distance, and Dahlin scored on the rebound, making it 2-2 instead of 1-2 in the opening game. The psychological impact of that cannot be overstated, since Sweden went out of the 1990 World Cup with three straight 1-2 losses... I'm not saying he was an integral part of the 1994 World Cup squad, I merely mentioned it to explain just how long his international career was; he was there from that tournament all the way to the 2008 Euros.

[@mikebrown41182]

@@chrisv384 As a swede i can tell you that your comment is incorrect. He started against Brazil in the group stage, he also came on as a substitute in the first game against cameroon in the group, and in the quarter final against romania and was part of the overtime that took us to the semifinal, he also started the bronze match against Bulgaria wich he also scored. So he had plenty of play time and played a pivotal role for us.

[@Zidwilliams98]

Aye that header was beautiful, I was 6 and that's one of my first football memories.

[@Wellington-nl7vm]

He was top 10 strikers in the world for a long time, it's just the fact that he stayed in Celtic that resultet in noone talking about him. I mean the guy whent on loan on both Man U and Barcelona and was just as good, if not better, than their current strikers. There was even times when he was moved down as a central midfielder in the National Team and he excelled even there due to his football intelligence and passing.

[@mrlenejo]

Being an old Swede and having followed Henrik from his beginning days in the national team as well I can genuinely and safely say that he was indeed a phenomenon. Had he played from the beginning in Barcelona for example I'm rather sure he'd be bigger than Raul in Real for instance. Henrik's playing style was exceptional in the way that he also always made his teammates better. He also never complained and just focused on the game. We'll never know how good he was in the end, but he was most likely going to win more CL and other big trophies had he played for other teams than Sweden and Celtic during his prime.

[@zebote]

From highlights alone his beautiful technique is easy to see. but he was literally dripping in sauce and I daresay would've banged in nearly as many goals in any European league, he just happened to be at Celtic in Scotland for his prime. Watched him play for United at 35 years old, I think, and he was sheer class even then. A true baller who could play anywhere across the front, and all without "pace". Deadly finishing and heading, two footed, high workrate and ice cold composure. A dream in this day and age.

[@marty8187]

No words to describe the king 💚💚🍀🍀

[@LostInSweden-cc2zu]

The last genuine old fashioned sportsman in football. It was a dying breed even in his day, but it's gone now. He stayed at Celtic because he loved it there, and he was never sold, despite the enormous amounts Celtic would have got from the English Premiership or Spain. He was always modest, always polite, always complimentary to his team mates. A gentleman, and a genius.

[@Gabos791]

@@LostInSweden-cc2zu larsson was class. But was there actually anyone actually interested when he was under contract at Celtic? Honest question because I honestly can’t remember any club making a move for him when he was under contract at Celtic

[@bannjaxx]

I love Henrik Larsson.

[@Flimzilla1879]

Prime Henrik Larsson could have gone anywhere he wanted in Europe, yet he chose to stay with Celtic. We'll never see anything like that again. King of Kings 👑

[@eternityD9]

him and totti are the last of that player type

[@magnusafberg169]

Reus

[@eternityD9]

@@kekson1748 he was already at a barcelona that was the best team itw at the time, its not the same

[@clownshoegaming4772]

I was lucky enough to have a season ticket that whole time....I thought having a player like that was just normal

[@frankryan2505]

You are my Larsson,my Henrik Larsson..

[@Hoopy-67]

He was world class and an absolute pleasure to watch and my idol growing up. One thing many dont talk about were Larssons diving headers, ive never seen a player score so many and you very rarely see them nowadays. Best player ive ever watched at celtic.

[@bossdawg1702]

He was absolutely incredible

[@CmonTheHoopsCeltic]

Brilliant video 🍀💚

[@Top-Corner-Football]

What a player he was in his peak!

[@erikenqvist9081]

One of the best who ever played the game. In my book his name is up the with guys like Pelé, Zlatan, Maradona and Messi

[@ReginaldDeliciousHunter]

The King of Kings

[@HawkmanWalker]

Henrik Larsson was one of the best ever

[@joher91]

he more or less always had a few minutes on the swedish tv sunday evening sport news and we always watched!

[@Ander01SE]

Swede here, remembering reading the newspaper about Henrik scoring another hat-trick for Helsingborg every week or two and wondering why he never appeared in the Swedish National Team (It took forever). 🧐

[@joshmore7175]

Henry says it best i think, Larsson was the instrumental part of a champions league final with Messi, Ronaldinho and Henry

[@clownshoegaming4772]

the best player I ever seen in the flesh...this company includes del piero, mendieta and ronaldinho, his intelligence as a forward was rediculous

[@hypogogix9125]

What a hunskelper he was. Absolutely destroyed the huns. Chipping Kloss will forever be one of the greatest moments in Scottish football. lol

[@CK-dd7eq]

The King of kings 🍀

[@Dan-eq6po]

One word phenomenal lol

[@andyrice859]

The best .

[@henriklarsson5221]

Thanks to all my fans.

[@Peter7ization]

Golden Shoe.... LOL

[@paul1138]

Horrible commentary 🙄

[@bikster7032]

Hidden himself in Scotish league say no more

[@mikebrown41182]

Yeah sure, hidden when he was a major player coming up in Holland, he also won the Champions league with Barca 40 games, and was on loan to man utd on fergusons request but he made a goal in the FA cup final wich United won by 2-1 and praised for those 7 games he did for utd. And made 106 apperance for the national team and became a important striker that every national team they faced weree aware of him and acknowledge him as a danger for them, even the best nations. So .. .. .🤷🏼‍♂️ So "hidden" from what?

[@patronsaintofhorses1747]

Football Ghod.🍀🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@orjanericsson6070]

Henke...Masse...Ragge...High 4ever

[@orjanericsson6070]

Helsingborgs IF

[@MichaalHell]

One thing that a lot of deep dives fail to mention is that Larsson suffered a horrific leg accident 99/00 seasons ago which in many cases could have been career ending but he bounced back even stronger..

[@clownshoegaming4772]

he somehow got even faster when he cut his dreadlocks off

[@dylanm1234]

He didn’t score an own goal in his debut he made a dodgy pass and from that pass the hibs player picked it up and scored a belter from about 25 yards

[@petereriksson5131]

Yes he DIF against få Tirol in Uefa cup greetings from Sweden

[@petereriksson5131]

Fc Tirol

[@HibeeMcbee]

The narrator clearly says ‘league debut’. Not his uefa cup debut or even his Celtic debut. His league debut was against Hibs where he accidentally passed to Chic Charnley who smashed it in the bottom corner to put Hibs ahead. Greetings from Scotland you donut.

[@dylanm1234]

@@HibeeMcbee yeah he thought he got one over on me but I’m an adult and don’t reply to childish got ye there comments

[@thelklad7940]

Yeah, the Hibs player that scored from Larssons misplaced pass was Chuck Charney.

[@OliverSutton1962]

Henrik is my personal favourite player of all time.

[@dennisalexanderson6975]

Imagine his poor baby brother Stefan died on the streets of Helsingborg, broken and homeless

[@OliverSutton1962]

@@dennisalexanderson6975 His brother's name is Robert .

[@davidkelly499]

Its an overused phrase but I believe that he was genuinely world class. Yes I am biased but if you look at his international and european record (with barca as well) it point to him being world class, or very close at least.

[@wujmt5154]

3 month loan at Utd end of his career.I couldnt believe how good he was!!! Brilliant player.

[@baz711]

Fergie tried to sign Larsson in 1999, he picked him as part of the opposition for his testimonial match at Old Trafford to get a closer look at him and start talks but Henrik broke his leg badly a week or so later in a Uefa cup match for Celtic. What a comeback he had after that though, both at club & International level.

[@deaconstjohn7539]

Best footballer ever to grace a park. Messi is surrounded with class. Henricj made everyone else class. Hail Hail

[@jonaslarsson8359]

Yes - ur special… but u make everyone on ur team better!

[@eljumbotron]

i'm a rangers fan and can honestly say he's ahead of gazza and laudrup as the best player to ever play in the spl

[@emiledarraghbarry]

@@eljumbotron 👍🏻 Would they be 2 and 3 then? And Laudrup ahead of Gascoigne?

[@eljumbotron]

@@emiledarraghbarry yeah

[@kopia77]

The thing about Zlatan/Larsson... Yes Zlatan had more skill but Larsson had the intelligence to read him in a way that no one else ever had (no matter what club). I wish they would had more time to play together cause that would have been magic goals for us to watch now! They loved to play together!

[@JohnCambridge-c6t]

The best to have ever played for celtic hail hail 🇮🇪

[@euanm2054]

One of the best talents to ever grace these islands.... from a blue nose.

[@EverGreen1888]

He won the Golden Boot for 53 goals in all competitions in the season 00-01

[@badgoogle9938]

2:30

[@EverGreen1888]

@badgoogle9938 That's what I was correcting. 35 league goals and 53 in all competitions including Europe

[@johnrussell4908]

Ally McCoist won it twice btw just saying

[@Norce555]

@@EverGreen1888 The Golden Boot only counts league goals though

[@Lfcsweden-n5m]

From Helsingborg and he was an Icon already at an early age. He was a super good floorball player also and had to make a choice were to go pro. He obviously made the right call ;)

[@DONTHASSLETHEHOFF]

Sure, I'm biased (being swedish) but Henke Larsson is a legend. And besides that, I've got extra love for loyal players, doesn't matter what sport we're talking about. Henrik Larsson stood by Celtic just like his fellow swede Henrik Lundqvist who never left the New York Rangers as a goalie and retired without a Stanley Cup, even though he was top tier and could've gone to better clubs to chase the trophies.

[@niklastorshagen6365]

Why didn't you mention his achievements in the Swedish national team?

[@doctormixup5388]

As a Swede, I think one thing is missing from this analysis: his performance as part of the Swedeish squad during the 1994 world cup. He started many games on the bench, but whenever he came on, he lifted the team. He played, I think, a really important role in one of the best national squads that Sweden has ever put together and Sweden came away with a well deserved third place in the tournament. In my eyes, though there were a lot of really good efforts by the whole team and several players putting in fantastic performances, I think Larsson was more important than he might be given credit for. Besides being a dangerous striker, he really has that ability to be the glue in a teams offence. He showed this already being at the start of his international career. Truely one of the best players to come out of Sweden.

[@jj-son4158]

This is a fine video, but what is shown on the screen doesn't match what you say.

[@jc-16.]

Larsson with dreads, forget about it top top top striker, scored every type of goal, underrated vison and a consummate team player.

[@03outlaw03]

One of my favorite players..would always buy him in manager games

[@xseros7954]

Never heard a script oozing so much of chatGPT

[@VisionOfTJ]

Easily on of the 25 best strikers ever to play the game if also longevity and consistency are accounted for.

[@andreasjonsson9359]

I'am from the same hometown as "Henke", Helsingborg! He was fantastic in all aspects. I really miss him on the pitch😊 A true legend

[@alba..8479]

Wish he had stayed at celtic, but he deserved to play for clubs like barca and man utd and win champions leagues and top 5 league, trophies . We where blessed to have him for 7 years it would never happen now, HH1888 YNWA

[@adamdurell4379]

He is also one of the absolutely biggest legends in the swedish national team!

[@allanmcintyre989]

It didn’t help that Porto were dirty in that game. The dirty challenges and diving all game

[@Offside__90]

The GOAT. Big Aidy Mac loved him!

[@pandaplutten2573]

His resume speaks for itself. Despite a serious injury, he bounced back and became even better. Sure, he was a part of the World Cup bronze medal team of 1994, but what impresses me more is that it was just the beginning of an amazing career. Loved by peers and fans - not just Swedes and Celtic. He is King Henrik (Henry) - sorry Henrik Lundquist, goalie of New York Rangers! (NHL) - and Zlatan, you are no.2 in Sweden.

[@YerDa67]

He was one of the best to play the game. Fergie tried to sign him for years, but the man remained loyal. Underrated. King of kings.

[@GollumSupernova]

These description the guy voices during the video really feels like AI produced. There are many repeating stuff, no depth, and it feels like just boring video. I’m a swede and thing Henke is one of the greats in football but this video is so mediocre.

[@chronicz0r]

What a player he was!

[@alba..8479]

Modest fee 650k, EASILY WORTH 100MIL 8N TODAYS GAME

[@Johnny-xu7kb]

As a Swede, his performance made me so proud :) Larsson and Ibrahimovic are the two exports I am most proud about. Back in those days we had a few more (Brolin, Dahlin and bit later Ljungberg and perhaps Källström) but those never really found their stride in the same way (imho). (disclaimer: i not absolutely nothing about the sport, hence my fav players tend to be the ones scoring goals :) no disrespect towards any midfielder/defense/goalkeepers or whatnot... )

[@TheHollomap]

I know the answer to this. Cause my wife is Swedish..... He was a legend.

[@usmh]

I can't believe you think he has second-to-none dribbling ^^

[@Eudaimonia469]

Importantly he was not a diva. Way too many football players are divas.

[@izzihusenne2186]

He did not score an own goal on his debut for Celtic... Otherwise good video.

[@francismckenzie6095]

He did score an own goal in his European debut but he gave the ball away on his league debut

[@izzihusenne2186]

@@francismckenzie6095 I was only commenting on the video which states he scored an own goal on his "league debut" but, as you rightly say he gave the ball away and Chic Charley scored an absolute belter!

[@qp9vp]

Henry was completely right. I remember watching the game. When they switched in Larsson, I knew that Barcelona would win. Supposed to be a bit of an ass though. I'm a swede from the same region as him. Same as Zlatan too. So you hear rumours... Zlatan is arrogant but not an ass.

[@Kristico1]

There is no timeline or connection between what we see and what we hear in this. Some around that final against Porto but mostly no... Not a very well done clip. But.. I love me some Henrik Larsson so a thumb up is inevitable.😍

[@omalshorn]

Me, a swede that couldn't care less about fotball. Saw the name and thought "hmm, that rings a bell, i wonder who this Henrik Larsson could be." Withing 10 seconds´of starting the video, "Ooh, Henke Larsson, the legend"

[@fredrikstenberg8843]

One of the most underrated football stars in the history of Europé. Zlatans mentor in Swedens national team i.e. At his best in Celtic. Made his mates grow during almost every match. Often miss his kind of footballer in todays matches. Thanks for a really good YT episode/part.

[@ioumsg]

The King of Kings - Henrik Larsson 👑

[@rian202003]

Henrik 'The King of Kings' 🤴

[@michaelkelly4280]

He was special

[@ollehug1946]

The biggest waste of talent ever in Swedish sports history. Could have starred in any club for 10 years straight

[@nela04]

henrik was zlatan before zlatan

[@ColinMitchell-f7y]

He didn't score an own goal on his league debut. He did make a slack pass tobHibs player Chic Charnley, who hit a screamer into the Celtic gial. It was a peach of a goel, ull find it on KZbin

[@Jeffovski]

The diving header 2004 was a beauty! Think it was Edman with the cross. One of the best ones I've seen...

[@Othis-Morf]

I don't remember the mentioned own goal but I do remember all the goals he scored in the opponents box. :))

[@TzOn79]

The Hero of Sweden

[@martinlindhardt8410]

very overrated player!

[@IskoJakobsson]

It's a crime against humanity that not a big club bought him in 2001-2002

[@Pr3stag3]

You claim to be a footballing channel but you call the Golden Boot the golden shoe? In all my years I have never heard it called that

[@cl103414]

if he would have left celtic earlier he would be considered one of the best strikers of all time.

[@Evan-Sean.Osborne.67]

An own goal? Was a dodgy pass back ffs 😂 you spout a power a shite at times

[@mrmaanss]

Sweden ❤

[@stefandjurachkovitch8624]

And you didn’t even mention any of his impact on the Swedish national team.

[@jamesh8672]

💚🍀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇮

[@fullspeedaheadbarcelona6502]

Wasted the best years of his career in such a poor league.

[@jonmacneil1350]

He was a monster, top form Larson would dismantle most teams..

[@ColinMitchell-f7y]

Another mistake by ur research team.

[@zlatan4066]

The best Celtic player of all time

[@DNTWREX]

Is this AI generated?

[@RRIFstepparn]

He turned Marcus Allbäck into a superstar in the national team

[@TzOn79]

Allbäck never been a superstar

[@RRIFstepparn]

@@TzOn79You misunderstood me. Larsson made his teammates into superstars.

[@MrSinister95]

Larsson was quite lucky to play during Ljungbergs tenure who really carried Sweden 98-06. Larsson wasn’t able too neither take Sweden to Euro 96 or world cups 98 and 10. That’s the 3 qualifiers Larsson and Sweden played without Ljungberg.

[@wordupcornflake]

g,o,a,t

[@yukinakai4683]

he was the best

[@colmm5022]

the king of kings. HH

[@emiledarraghbarry]

@@colmm5022 H.H.

[@Shdjdjxbdksk]

Who knows he spent his prime in a pub league

[@alejandrorodriguezdomingue174]

Ronaldinho alone was responsible for getting Barcelona up to the final.

[@josephmalik3861]

A true legend hail hail the king of kings

[@williamredpath861]

We'll never truly know how good he was as he spent too long in a garbage league playing for celtic in a country that only have 2 mediocre teams playing against garbage teams.

[@sharkinlad87]

You don't know football ... that's blatantly obvious

[@williamredpath861]

@sharkinlad87 I've watched football for over 40 years, I probably know it better than you.

[@foybhoy9698]

Your a Cnut mate. Simple.

[@corneliussmiff2773]

@@sharkinlad87 Scottish Top Flight is Championship level at best. But some good players have gone through there.

[@davidkelly499]

I can see what you are saying but his record in european competition with a garbage team suggests that he was special. He is the UEFA cups all time top scorer btw. He scored against some of europes best in the champions league as well. Also scored for his country at the world cup and european championships. Basically won Barca a champions league with a 15 minute cameo. Golden boot winner (which takes in to account the poor quality league). Just listen to how people at Man Utd and Barca talk about him, that will give you an idea about how good he was.

[@danevirke]

Well Brian Laudrup was better in Rangers

[@shakkattack]

Celtic second division side , championship quality on a good day !

[@emiledarraghbarry]

Say that again. Larsson, Sutton, Hartson, Lambert, Petrov, Thompson, Moravčík, Lennon, Mjällby. Liverpool 0-2 Celtic. Celtic 4-3 Juventus (etc.). Say that again. Go on. Say it again.