Brisbane Roar fan favourite Henrique to take a bow

After 10 years in Brisbane, diminutive Brazilian Henrique will retire from the A-League and the Roar.

Roar veteran Henrique has played his final game for the club. Picture: Jack Tran

He didn’t have the star power of a Dwight Yorke or Alessandro Del Piero but Henrique made just as significant a contribution to the A-League with Brisbane Roar.

The diminutive Brazilian goalscorer announced yesterday that he would leave the club after the final match of the season against Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

While he won’t be able to play because of an injury, Henrique will be given a special presentation in front of the Roar faithful who took him to their hearts from the first day he walked into the club in 2009.

A three-time championship winner with the Roar, the man affectionately known as the “Slippery Fish” says he will take time to consider his future after completing his second stint with the Queenslanders. The 33-year-old is still tossing up whether to play on, possibly in the Queensland NPL, or go straight into coaching.

“At this point in time I have to take care of my injury. That will give me time to look at all opportunities to then make a clear decision to continue playing or transition perhaps into coaching,” he said yesterday.

“I have enjoyed every moment at Brisbane. This club, and the fans, will always be special to me. I have so many great memories to take with me.”

Henrique said he would assess his playing future once he regained full fitness but confirmed he was keen to pursue coaching. And he did not rule out joining the Roar staff in the future, even joking that he had his eye on Brisbane’s vacant full-time head coach job.

That job will go to Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, who will be unveiled as the new man today.

Former Socceroos coach Frank Farina brought Henrique to Brisbane in 2009 after the striker had spent a number of seasons in the lower leagues in Brazil.

It didn’t take him long to win over the Roar fans, who took to his passion, speed, skill and ability to score goals.

He went on to play 168 games and scored 45 goals in two stints with the Roar, as well as picking up three championship medals.

He proved himself to be a player for the big occasions, twice scoring goals in extra time in the grand final wins over Central Coast Mariners in 2011 (as well as scoring in the penalty shootout in that game) and Perth Glory in 2014.

“Scoring in my first game for the club and the grand final wins will stay with me for a long time,” Henrique said.

Brisbane Roar chief executive David Pourre said Henrique’s 10 seasons of service with the club would never be forgotten.

“A champion of the club, a people’s champion and all-round genuine and humble person, Henrique will always be in the hearts and minds of Brisbane Roar, its sponsors, members and fans,” Pourre said. “Respected by many throughout the football family, Henrique’s inspiring contribution to football in Australia will never be forgotten.”

Pourre said Henrique will be given life membership of the club in recognition for his “outstanding service and contribution” to the club.