Barcelona legend Xavi has revealed that he doubted whether Henrik Larsson would be able to cut it at the Nou Camp.
At the age of 32 Larsson ended seven magnificent years at Celtic for the chance to play somewhere with the sun on his back.
Benfica with it’s strong Swedish links seemed a likely destination but after helping Celtic to a 1-0 aggregate win over Barcelona his availability came to the attention of the Catalan side.
A two year contract was agreed with Larsson delighted to get the chance to add to his honours collection and play st the highest level in the game.
Barcelona’s dressing room at the time included Ronaldinho, Ludovic Guilly, Samuel Eto’o and Carlos Puyol as well as the emerging generation that included Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Seven goal laden years at Celtic hardly hit the headlines in the Catalan city but Xavi was quickly won over by the player that created the goals that won the 2006 Champions League Final against Arsenal.
“What I knew about Larsson was simply that he was coming from Celtic,” Xavi told The Sun. “He’d had a good career in Glasgow and he was a good striker.
“He wasn’t a young guy when he signed but I knew from the moment he arrived that he was a lovely guy and very professional. From the very first day there, he was loved by everyone in the dressing room.”
Xavi added: “From the football side he helped us a lot. He helped us win leagues and he was the difference in helping Barcelona win the first Champions League of my generation.
“When I first heard Henrik was signing for Barcelona, my first thought was ‘Well, we’ll have to wait and see about this guy’.
“The gap between Scottish football and La Liga is quite significant but from the first day I saw him in training, the way he moved and the way he was in the box, I knew he was going to be a really good player for us.
“The impact he had on the team was so important. In the final of the Champions League he made the assists for the goals that helped us win the trophy.
“He was so important for us and he was loved by the supporters and his team-mates. The fans were always shouting ‘Larsson, Larsson’. They loved him.”
CLICK HERE to watch a sensational Sydney van Hooijdonk free kick
CLICK HERE for Sevco extend Barton ban.
CLICK HERE for Jackson Irvine’s international drive.
