The exploits made and the memories left by Thierry Henry are numerous. Everyone has kept in mind the thunderous beginnings in Monaco of this young and rapid attacker, who later became a legend of Arsenal, FC Barcelona and the Blues. But the 1998 world champion, now a consultant for the CBS Sports channel, did not only have success during his career. Between the ASM and the Gunners, “Titi” lived a delicate half-season at Juventus.
It was in January 1999 that the former three-color international joined the old lady, with the label of future crack. But very quickly, things got complicated for him. “When I arrived at Juve, the coach was (Marcello) Lippi. I only made four matches with himhe recalls in the program
Stick to football, broadcast on Youtube. Juve was in trouble, we were eleventh in the league and I think we finished sixth. That year was chaos. »»
Thierry Henry at Juventus, it turns badly
“Then, (Carlo) Ancelotti arrived. He played in 3-5-2 and I found myself lateral … I went from number to nine to winger (in Monaco) then, at Juve, at lateralhe continues.
At first, it was hard because you must both be the fourth defender, the fifth midfielder and the winger. So it was complicated especially as new, because I was really new when I was young. »» But that is not what motivated his desire to join Arsenal.
“Everyone asks me why I left Juve. I did not leave because I played or I did not play, because I had a rather correct season, with a few goals and assists ”he said. The reason for his departure, only seven months after his arrival, is one name: Luciano Moggi. Thierry Henry had already mentioned the “Lack of respect” that he had suffered from the Italian leader, without going into details. Twenty-six years later, he finally indulges.
“At the end of a match, Moggi, who was the sports director at the time-but he was almost the owner of the club or even more, believe me-sets me by and puts me in a roomhe testifies today still with bitterness. Ancelotti was there. It was really just after the match. And Moggi said to me: 'Well, we're going to send you to Udinese'. But can I at least take a shower or? At that time, they had (Oliver) Bierhoff and (Nicola) Amuroso. »»
“I took the jersey and put it there”
“And he said to me: 'We want Amuroso, but they will only sell it to us if you go there.' I look at Ancelotti but he says nothing. And he said to me: 'But we believe in you' “continues the ex-bianconero, who immediately made a radical decision. “I said, 'Nice confidence … Do you believe in (Alessandro) del Piero? So send him to Udinese '. Well, I was stupid at that time … I took the jersey, I put it there and I told myself that I will never replay this club again. »»
A judicious career choice given what Thierry Henry then accomplished in England. “It was not because of the supporters or anyone elsespecifies the ex-selection of the French Hopes team, during the 2024 Olympic Games.
Juve is a remarkable club, really, with very large supporters. (…) The way they treat you is incredible. But that was disrespectful. So I left. »» The rest of his immense career belongs to history.
