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Secret MBE for henrik
UNFORTUNATELY TAKEN FROM THE PISS THAT IS THE DAILY RANGER GOT IT IN A HENRIK GOOGLE ALERT
CELTIC football hero Henrik Larsson has been awarded a "secret" MBE.
The Parkhead legend was given the honour in a hush-hush list drawn up last May but he hasn't let on, even to friends.
Larsson was rewarded for his immense contribution to Scottish football.
A source at his current club, Barcelona, said: "Henrik found out about this some time ago and he was really honoured.
"It came out of the blue - he was not even aware that he was eligible for an MBE."
The honorary award was among 100 for non-Brits on a list approved by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
Larsson's friends and former team-mates at Celtic were completely unaware of the award.
The Barcelona source added: "Henrik has not really chatted too much about it because, as everyone knows, he isn't the type of guy to boast.
"He hasn't even been able to receive it yet because Barcelona have had a hugely successful season and a huge match schedule."
Larsson, 35, was yesterday battling injury to be fit for Barcelona's showdown with AC Milan tonight in the semi-final of the Champions League.
If they reach the final, he is likely to wait until the end of the season to pick up his MBE, before heading to the World Cup with Sweden.
The source said: "One way or another, it will be an unbelievable time for Henrik.
"He has achieved so much with his clubs and country and he fully deserves individual honours too."
During seven amazing years at Celtic, Larsson scored 242 goals in 315 matches, making him the club's third all-time record scorer.
Internationally, he has scored 34 goals in 88 games for Sweden.
A Foreign Office spokesman said the list of international honours was kept separate from the Brit list and not made public.
It was revealed by Straw after a question in the Commons.
Others honoured included Irish pop group The Corrs and German golfer Bernhard Langer.
Other Celtic greats who are MBEs include Kenny Dalglish and Larsson's former manager at Parkhead, Martin O'Neill.
RONNIE WANTS TO SEND FRIEND OFF WITH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MEDAL
RONALDINHO will tonight attempt to fire Barcelona into the final of the Champions League - to provide a fitting farewell for Henrik Larsson.
The world's greatest player describes former Celtic hero Larsson as his idol and would like nothing more than to help the Swede leave the Spanish giants with the game's biggest club medal in his pocket.
Larsson will quit the Nou Camp at the end of the season to return to Sweden, where he will see out his career at Helsingborgs.
And while Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho believes Larsson could easily play on at the highest level, he insists he has too much respect for his team-mate to try to persuade him to stay longer than he wants in the Catalan capital.
Barcelona face AC Milan in tonight's semi-final second leg having secured a 1-0 win in the San Siro last week.
Now Ronaldinho and his mates are determined to finish the job at the Nou Camp and set up a final appearance in the Stade de France next month.
Larsson will miss the match with a hamstring injury, although he should be fit within weeks.
The Champions League Final would mark his last match for Barcelona and Ronaldinho admits he'll miss his mate when he leaves.
He said: "With Henrik leaving us at the end of the season this club is losing a great scorer, no question. But I amalso losing a great friend. Henrik was my idol and now that I am playing next to him it is fantastic.
"He is a real friend and that is a pleasure. I just want to enjoy the remaining time he has with us rather than dwell on what we will be missing when he's gone.
"I haven't t ried to convince Henrik to stay at Barcelona. I respect him so much that I can't try to influence his decision.
"It's something he has thought about for a long time. I'm not happy he's leaving but I'm not going to pressure him at all.
"At Henrik's age many players announce their retirement from international football but no one I know his age is at the great physical level Henrik is at right now. He could play at the highest level for a long time."
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