Swedish football icon Henrik Larsson has previously spoken openly about the racism he was forced to endure growing up.
His parents chose to give him his mother’s last name to “protect him”. But “Henke” was still heckled for his origin and for his skin color, he has said.
In an interview with The Guardian the 52-year-old opens up again. The traces from growing up have made Larsson feel insecure about his identity.
– I see myself as a foreigner. I don’t know who I am, to be honest. I know that I have made 106 international matches for Sweden, but I have never felt 100 percent Swedish, says Larsson to The Guardian.
– I have to respect my father’s heritage (Cape Verde), maybe that’s why. I didn’t feel Swedish until I succeeded on the soccer field. When you are nothing, then you mean nothing. When you are somebody, then you are part of society. Then people forget where you come from, what race you are.
Larsson’s upbringing in the Helsingborg area involved relationships with people from many different backgrounds. And there were problems.
– I got into a couple of fights. If they called me the N-word, or anything else, I used to hit them. I think that mentality comes from home. You have to stand up for yourself. It was not an easy upbringing. But you have two choices: lie down and cry or learn to deal with it. I chose the second option.
Larsson has been without a club since he had to leave Barcelona together with Ronald Koeman in October 2021. The 52-year-old recently told us that he was in contact with SvFF about the then-vacant job of national captain, but taking on such an assignment was never an issue.
The former Helsingborgs IF and Falkenbergs FF coach believes that he has lost his love for football.
– I’m so tired of the sport. I felt it when I was in Barcelona as a coach, but I wanted to feel what I already knew I felt once more. The demands are so high. The way Koeman and we were sacked was terrible. I’m tired of the sport because now more than ever it’s just about money, says Larsson to The Guardian.
