Four years ago in Portugal, Henrik Larsson returned from international retirement to score three goals at the European Championships for Sweden to re-ignite a long lasting love affair with his nation.
And quite remarkably, this summer he will attempt to do the same once again, after he was surprisingly included in Sweden’s Euro 2008 squad by coach Lars Lagerbäck, meaning Larsson will yet again return from international retirement at the age of 36 years old.
Larsson said, “Lars Lagerbäck phoned me yesterday (and asked me to join the squad) while I was out playing golf. When I checked my voicemail I made a quick decision to say ‘yes’.”
Lagerback has clearly been impressed by Larson’s recent form, and he said, “There’s been a glow about Henrik and his football throughout the spring. And I know that he looks like he’s enjoying his football, he’s playing good football.”
Repeating his own personal Euro 2004 success will be a very tall order though, and after playing in the poor quality Swedish league recently nobody will be particularly surprised if he only has a bit-part role to play in Austria and Switzerland.
But nobody can ever write off Henrik Larsson after all the previous dramatic comebacks he has made, and we will all watch with interest at his contribution this summer.
