Super Swede

Nigeria's goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu lounges for the ball as Sweden's forward Henrik Larsson scores the first goal for his team during match 21 group F of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan 07 June, 2002 in Kobe, Japan. AFP PHOTO PEDRO UGARTE

Sweden's forward Henrik Larsson (R) steals the ball from Senegal's midfielder Papa Bouba Diop during match 51 round of 16 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan 16 June, 2002 in Oita, Japan. Senegal won 2-1 in overtime and qualified for the quarterfinals. AFP PHOTO PATRICK HERTZOG

The 2002 World Cup in Japan was set to be Henrik Larsson's last showing on the international stage and although he took full advantage of the opportunity, scoring three goals and playing with thrilling commitment and authority, his disappointment at Sweden's early exit was acute.

Their defeat in the second round at the hands of Senegal (2-1) prompted the Celtic striker to call a halt to his international career. However, he went back on his decision and has joined Sweden's squad for Euro 2004.

First choice

Swedish Henrik Lasrsson (R) beats Italian goalkeeper Francesco Toldo by scoring the 1-1 during the EURO 2000 Group B soccer match Italy vs Sweden 19 June 2000, in Eindhoven. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

Although at the 1994 World Cup in America the two first-choice strikers for Sweden were Martin Dahlin and Kennet Andersson, Larsson played a fine supporting role as a late substitute or replacement.

Despite coming third in that tournament they subsequently disappeared from the international scene for six years, failing to qualify for the 1996 European championships as well as the 1998 World Cup.

They made it to the 2000 European Championship, though, and Larsson, who had made a remarkable comeback from a horrific leg injury, suffered in a Uefa Cup match with Celtic, scored for his country against Italy.

Heroes

Larsson set out to emulate his childhood heroes Kenny Daglish and Kevin Keegan of Liverpool fame when he began his professional career in the Swedish league with Hogabog BK.

Henrik Larsson celebrates after opening the scoring for Celtic in a UEFA Cup third round match against Valencia in Celtic Park, Glasgow, 06 December 2001.

A move to Helsingborgs followed and it was there that he was spotted by Feyenoord scouts and he scored 26 goals in 101 outings with the Rotterdam outfit.

In 1997 he signed for Celtic, where he was to spend seven seasons, winning four league titles and two Cups.

He netted 39 times in the 1998-99 season, collecting both Scotland's (1998) and Sweden's (1999) Player of the Year awards.

Summit

Celtic's Henrik Larsson holds up the cup to the fans after the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park in Glasgow 22 April 2001. Celtic defeated Hearts 1-0. (UK OUT/POOL) AFP PHOTO EPA/PA POOL/BEN CURTIS/SPD-fob

With the rampant Larsson leading the Celtic attack, the club realised a brilliant treble in 2001, winning the Scottish championship, Scottish Cup and League Cup.

The Swede confirmed the pure Scottish air was to his liking by scoring 34 goals (54 in all competitions) to claim the crown as Europe's top scorer.

He was the main source of goals for Sweden in the qualifying round for the 2002 World Cup, scoring eight times as the "Vikings" won Group four.

Larsson was again the wellspring of their goals as they made a run to the 2003 UEFA Cup final, where they were narrowly defeated by Porto.

He added another domestic double to his role of honour with Celtic in 2004 in his last season with the Glasgow club, winning both the Cup and the league title.

After Sweden had qualified for Euro 2004 without him he agreed to go join the squad for the finals, where he should partner Ajax's Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a potent forward line.