Cheeky Chip

Farewell to the King

By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Paris

Thierry Henry announced on Thursday to the American press that he was putting an end to his international career and that the loss against South Africa was his last game with “l’Équipe de France”. We had expected the 32-year-old to make this move after a excruciating season highlighted by controversy, injuries and bench-warming for the former Barcelona striker, who just signed a 4-and-a-half-year contract with the New York Red Bulls. Although they were only half-surprising, both news came as a shock to me as it marks the end of a generation. The Arsenal legend was the last survivor of the French team who won the World Cup back in 1998 and I feel this is the sad ending to a wonderful career for one of the best strikers we have ever had the pleasure to watch.

He ironically began his career against South Africa in 1997 and managed in 13 seasons to become France’s top scorer with 51 goals in 123 caps. Ever since the “Handballgate incident” however, Henry has unfortunately lost a lot of respect from the French fans. It’s interesting to see how the Uruguayans greeted Luis Suarez like a hero after his handball against Ghana while France was much more judgmental towards the Les Bleus striker. In an interview with French television after the groups stages, Henry said he had lost credibility within the French team and that he no longer held the same status he once had.

I am disappointed Henry did not choose to go back to France to play in the Ligue 1 as I believe he could have been very successful. I understand however what attracts him in the States since he has already proclaimed his love for New York and…well, frankly France is not known for high wages but rather high salary taxes. He will therefore follow his former Arsenal teammate’s footsteps, Freddie Ljungberg, who plays with the Seattle Sounders and who reportedly described Henry the improvements that were being made in the MLS.

I hope I am wrong to say his carrier is already over and that this move to the MLS will help him gain some confidence as he is only 32 and could still potentially play for France if he wanted to (both Klose, 32, and Forlan, 31, had amazing World Cups). His partnership with Juan Pablo Angel will be interesting to follow and could help him prosper as I expect him to play a much central role than what he was doing at Barcelona; something closer to his glory days at Arsenal. No matter what, I believe that France must never forget who he was (or is?) and what he did, because who knows…we might just see him one day become the coach of our international team.

Long live the King!