THE KING OF KINGS, Henrik Larsson, has said that he decided to put club before country when he called time upon his international career in 2002.
Larsson revealed that after the FIFA World Cup in 2002, he felt that his time with the national team had come to an end after they were eliminated by Senegal in the Last 16. Speaking to Aftonbladet, the Swedish newspaper, Larsson revealed that he chose to continue at Celtic as they pushed to dominate both domestic and in European competitions as he wasn’t feeling as appreciated with Sweden as he was with Celtic.
“When I finished the first time, 2002, I had a long term deal with Celtic. At that time we had a good team, we were in domestic cups, we had the league and went abroad in Europe.
“I didn’t feel appreciated (by Sweden). At the same time, my boy was not so old so I didn’t want to leave him. So, it became a fairly simple decision.”
However, clamour from the Swedish people made Larsson reverse his decision and join Ibrahimovic leading the line for the Swedes in the 2004 Euros. He continued to play for Sweden until his retirement in 2009.
Larsson, who scored 242 goals in 315 appearances for Celtic from 1998, is a modern legend around Celtic Park and his contribution to the club’s history is legendary.
The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP21) Matchday Special v St Johnstone – When History Was Made…
Kevin Graham recorded the latest episode of The CQN Podcast at McDiarmid Park, as Brendan Rodgers’ side extended their unbeaten domestic run to a record-breaking 63 matches against St Johnstone.
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