Thierry Henry is almost always in control. When he was a player, many criticized him for not celebrating his goals in a spectacular enough way. He replied that he had been raised like that and that any overflow of emotions was not integrated into his software. If he has gradually cracked his shell since he became a TV consultant and then coach of the French Espoirs team, the former star striker of the Blues is still not the type to easily come out of his concentration and his character of a very serious and demanding man.
However, on Monday, after the Bleuets qualified for the final of the 2024 Olympic Games thanks to a victory in extra time (3-1), “Titi” had a much less contained joy. Already, after the second tricolor goal scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta, the former top scorer in the history of the French team stretched his arms to the sky and exulted with relief. But it was after the match, in what he thought was the privacy of the Groupama Stadium locker room, that Thierry Henry let loose the most.
And what if you win a gold medal?
In front of his players, who were laughing and some of them were filming, like Rayan Cherki, the 98 world champion performed surprising dance steps to commune with his group. We didn’t know Henry was so comfortable and relaxed in front of his players, he who we know is very attached to a certain form of authority and presence in this costume.
We wonder what Thierry Henry will do if, by chance, the French team were to be crowned Olympic champion, 40 years after their last victory in the competition. A new dance demonstration, but this time in the middle of the Parc des Princes pitch? To be in the right frame of mind to show off his dancing talents, the Bleuets coach will first have to find a way to allow his players to beat Spain, their opponent in the final.
