Henrik Larsson Bio - Swedish Striker in 2002 World Cup

Soccer Star Henrik Larsson

Henrik Larsson knew he wanted to be a professional soccer player from the time he started walking. His dad gave Henrik a ball when he was just 16 months old and from that moment on, he spent most of his free time playing soccer. There was a soccer field right beside Henrik Larsson's home in Helsingborg where he, his two brothers and several other kids in the neighborhood would play soccer every day.

Henrik Larsson loved soccer but he didn't always like school. He had problems with some of the ignorant buttmunches in his class. Henrik's father is from the Cape Verde Islands off the West African coast. Sweden is very blonde and blue so Henrik's roots stood out. "There was a lot of rascism in Sweden when I was young. Back then it was unusual to have a black kid at school. I was one of the few, so I had to stand up for myself," says Henrik Larsson.

Henrik Larsson's dream of becoming a pro came true at the age of 21 when he was signed by Helsingborg IF. He was among the league's top scorers and was picked to play for Sweden at the 1994 World Cup which was played in the USA. Henrik Larsson scored the winning goal on a penalty kick in a quarter-final game against Romania and became a hero in Sweden.

In 1997, Henrik Larsson signed with Glasgow Celtic of the Scottish Premier League. His goal-scoring abilities, enthusiasm and wild dreadlocks made Henrik one of the team's most popular players. In 1998, he helped Celtic win their first Scottish title in 10 years. He continues to be one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership and is leading the league in scoring in 2001-2002.

Did you know?