Henrik Larsson was one of the most striking and famous hairstyles in soccer during the 1990s because of his dreadlocks. For this very reason, it was even questioned whether he was Swedish, as his appearance was that of a Latino or a Caribbean, but he was an international for Sweden. He was part of that historic Swedish team that finished third at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and who doubted Leo Messi years later.
After establishing himself as an idol and emblem at Celtic in the Scottish League, Larsson arrived at Barcelona in 2004 as a reinforcement that caused suspicion, because it was said that he did not fit the profile for an institution like the Catalan club. To the surprise of many, he quickly integrated and was a key player in winning everything with the Blaugrana, including the 2006 Champions League.
In his two seasons at the Spanish club, the Swede coincided with Lionel Messi’s early professional career. Larsson was already a veteran of the game while the Argentine was just beginning to take his first steps on the pitch at a high level.
Messi wasn’t in the team in my first year. But in the second year, when we were in pre-season, I think it was in Japan, I saw him on the flight, but I didn’t really think much of it. Then I saw him in training and I asked Giovanni (van Bronckhorst): “Who is that?
Between 2004 and 2006, the best player on the planet was Ronaldinho. The Brazilian star stole the spotlight, monopolized the front pages and was the most admired, both by teammates and rivals. It was unthinkable at that time what was going to happen with Messi later on
No, I didn’t realise (that Messi would be one of the best straight away). A lot of people had seen Ronaldinho. I was playing with Ronaldinho at the time. He was the best (at that time)
When other footballers in the dressing room spoke highly of Messi’s talent, Larsson doubted him. While he saw qualities and aptitudes in the boy, he did not believe that they were enough to be on a par with Ronaldinho, let alone surpass him
He (Messi) could do anything with the ball and he was also efficient. I didn’t see Messi being that good. The technique, the speed, the left foot, everything was there, but for me it was hard to see someone surpassing Ronaldinho
He was far from imagining that what he achieved with Barcelona would be tripled later with Lionel Messi as the architect of a golden era for the Catalan club. Today, Larsson is a former footballer who is dedicated to contemplating the magic that the boy who became a sacred monster of the ball gives to football.
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