FIFA opened the floodgates today as twitter celebrated the 44th birthday of the King of Kings.
£650,000 has never been better used than when Celtic sent a cheque to Feyenoord in 1997 to reunite the Swede with Wim Jansen.
Providing an assist to Chic Charnley of Hibs in his first Celtic appearance wasn’t the most memorable of first impressions but 242 goals and seven years later the legend of Henrik Larsson burns as brightly as ever.
Nine months after his debut at Easter Road Larsson was smelling the glove as Celtic won their first title in a decade with the move from Rotterdam paying off on and off the pitch having contributed 16 league goals and 3 in a League Cup triumph.
And we’re still missing you Henrik. Happy Birthday Henrik Larsson #YouAreMyLarsson #KingofKings @JordanLarsson17 pic.twitter.com/L0aV3Ax51N
— Bhoy (@Bmac1888) September 20, 2015
The following season Larsson really got into his stride with 38 goals in all competitions and numerous assists for Harald Brattbakk and Mark Vidulka before a leg break in October 1999 threatened to end his career. Ignoring the gossip and rumours, Larsson threw himself into his rehab as he attempted to be back in the Celtic side that won the 2000 League Cup against Aberdeen. His comeback was delayed until the final league game of the season with a goal against Italy for Sweden in Euro 2000 confirming his return to full fitness.
https://t.co/7fehAFZgbN Henrik Larsson’s birthday today. @LukeShaw23 should take heart 8 months after Henrik broke his leg he was doing this — NEILJUNG67 (@NEILJUNGERS67) September 20, 2015
By the time the 2000/01 season started it was all change at Celtic under Martin O’Neill. Chris Sutton’s arrival kicked off a spectacular goal rush that saw Larsson net 53 goals with number 50 coming at Ibrox in a 3-0 win over Rangers (IL).
Happy Birthday Henrik Larsson #BirthdayBhoy #KingOfKings pic.twitter.com/65ifBVgF1I — Cybertims (@Cybertims) September 20, 2015
European football was soon to discover the prowess of the Swede as Celtic re-emerged from the wilderness with priceless goals against Blackburn, Celta Vigo, Liverpool and Boavista taking Celtic to Seville and the most memorable of experiences for supporters of all generations. Â
There was one more 41 goal season from the King of Kings- signing off with a Scottish Cup double before winding down his career with Barcelona and Manchester United.
CLICK HERE for the Roll of Honour Â
All the mercenaries need to watch this. True Football Legend Happy Birthday Henrik Larsson https://t.co/ghzAmXVt6X — Bhoy (@Bmac1888) September 20, 2015
You are my Larsson My Henrik Larsson pic.twitter.com/iIY4d848d2
— Champagne Shippanova (@Shippy67) September 20, 2015
Happy Hoopy Birthday to The King of King’s today Henrik Larsson what a Legend ???? pic.twitter.com/A3hecW4lX2 — Montrose CSC (@MontroseCSC) September 20, 2015
http://t.co/Xnn4PsWOeQ. He definitely was sensational. Happy birthday Henrik ???????? xxx
— Danielle Cairney (@DaniCairney87) September 20, 2015
happy birthday to the king today ! #HenrikLarsson pic.twitter.com/L8n3tGqmaL — LiamMcDonald1888 (@LiamMcDonaldCfc) September 20, 2015
Happy birthday Henrik Larsson! pic.twitter.com/hVmsudkANZ
— Jojo Culé (@jperkovic93) September 20, 2015
As it’s the King of Kings birthday http://t.co/Z3UAJDevHr via @youtube — Gordon Bell (@GordonRBell) September 20, 2015
2006 gewann Henrik Larsson, Ex-Star von #Celtic, mit #Barcelona die #UCL, heute wird er 44 Jahre alt, Glückwunsch! pic.twitter.com/dn7FSPgIw5
— UEFA.com_DE (@UEFAcom_de) September 20, 2015
Legend in every sense of the word a proper legend.HH
we will never see his like again.
truly the KING OF KINGS.
Broke my heart when he left…..GHOD 7!
GENIUS!
One of our all time greats !
HH