Final Bow for the 'King of Kings'

Regular readers of this site (there are surely some?) may have noticed that the editorial content could be deemed to be on the cynical side. The way footballers act these days, with their Bentley buying and breaking the noses of women who would rather not be felt up by them, it's often hard to see the good in the game. Every so often, however, a player emerges from the grimness who is not only a truly fantastic player but also a great man to boot. This week saw one of the game's 'good guys' depart the world of professional football. Henrik Larsson, voted Sweden's greatest ever player, played his final game for Helsingborg, the 38-year-old bringing the curtain down the curtain on a a glorious career.

It's perhaps fitting that he ended his time with the club that started him on the road to fame but in the intervening years he established himself as one of Europe's most potent strikers. After an acrimonious departure from Feyenoord, he pitched up in Glasgow at Celtic, his £600,000 fee, surely the transfer bargain of the century. He went on to become a living legend for the Hoops. Despite scoring a barrowload for Celtic, he was always dogged by accusations(mainly by the English media) that he would not be so successful in one of Europe's big leagues. After seven amazing years at Celtic, he moved onto to Barcelona, and despite an injury hit first season, became a hero to the Catalan faithful. His game changing cameo against Arsenal in the 2006 Champions league final ensured his place in Barca history.

Being the honorable man that he was, he fulfilled his vow to finish his career in Sweden and moved back to Helsingborgs, the provincial club that had provided him with his first chance in professional football. His star was still bright enough for Man Utd to offer him a short term contract, and the super Swede could not resist the temptation to try his luck with one of the world's biggest clubs. The English media, who had so often doubted him, got the opportunity to see what a truly gifted player he really was, and despite his advancing years he impressed Sir Alex enough to offer him an extended contract. But Larsson, true to his word as he always was, returned to Sweden to see out his playing days with Helsinborg.

As a player and a man, Henrik Larsson was respected by the players and fans of every club he represented. But it was at Celtic that he truly found his home. His displays for the East Glasgow club elevated him beyond legendary, he is now remembered as an almost mythical figure by the Parkhead faithful. This video probably best encapsulates what he meant to the fans of Glasgow Celtic, who simply knew him as Henrik Larsson - The King Of Kings.