While serving as Bleuets coach, Thierry Henry criticized the way big players are treated in France.
Thierry Henry is one of the greatest players in the history of French football. If it is difficult to place him at the same height as Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini or Zinédine Zidane, he is clearly part of the Top 5. If only because of the goals record that he has held for a long time.
“In France, they don’t even give you a rose”
Despite his enormous accomplishments, Henry didn’t really get a tribute when he retired. Worse, he bowed out discreetly, without anyone saluting his journey. His hand during the play-off against Eire (in 2009) or the South African World Cup where he failed in his role as leader have, in part, supplanted his feats of arms.
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😂 “In France, they give you a rose and you go home… and even if you have the rose!”
Thierry Henry on the recognition of athletes in France. 💭
Watch the entire episode 2 from 6 p.m. on… pic.twitter.com/6qhEMlYHE4
— SKWEEK (@skweektv) September 22, 2023
At the time, Henry didn’t talk too much about this sneaky exit from the stage. But today, he does not hesitate to talk about it. And above all to point the finger at those responsible for football in his eyes, guilty in his eyes of a lack of recognition.
Speaking on Skweek TV, while discussing the induction of his great friend Tony Parker into the NBA Hall of Fame, Henry said: “In England, they started making the Hall of Fame too. The English are always the first on this. To recognize the career a little. In France, they give you roses and you go home. And again if you have the rose. So there is no real career recognition.”
Sincere remarks but which may not please his employer too much. Engaged with the French football federation as coach of the Espoirs, Henry normally has a right of reserve. And he failed to respect it.
