Legendary Swedish striker Henrik Larsson played for Barcelona for two seasons (2004-2006), and proved that his reputation as a clinical striker was justified, but also showed everone in the team that he was relentless, intelligent, and selfless in service of the team. Larsson was key in thet 2006 Champions League trophy, “there were two defining moments, and they were the two assists. That’s part of the reason why I’m always going to be a big part of the Barcelona history”, as he explains in a recent interview with Flashscore.
The Swedish legend shared the locker room with Ronaldinho and Messi, “played with the world’s best player, Ronaldinho, and I couldn’t see anybody being better than him. But Messi proved it was possible.” Larsson continues, “he had close control, speed, ability and vision. Having those components is one thing, but putting them all together is another.” “You saw that he had the potential to become a great player”, and he obviously fulfilled it. “He did it, and he became arguably the best player we have ever seen.”
Achieving UCL glory in 2006 was key for the club, “after the Champions League final in 2006, when we won, we climbed a little hurdle for Barcelona because it had been a long time, it was only their second European Cup.” Larsson explains the effect it could have had for the next generations, “that made it possible for the next group to believe, and they showed it for years afterwards. Even after I left, they pushed on and did it again, which is not easy.”
Henrik Larsson talks also about Lamine Yamal, “you can see he’s already done a lot, and there is potential for him to reach even higher levels, but that is up to him,”if he fully commits to everything, the sky is the limit.”
