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Henry announces retirement, joins Sky Sports broadcast team

Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls 29

Photo by Brad Penner/USA Today Sports
 

By FRANCO PANIZO

Thierry Henry has mulled over his future, and come to a decision. He is calling it a career.

Henry announced his retirement via his Facebook account early on Tuesday morning, putting an end to a storied 20-year career that has seen the legendary striker rack up goals, assists and trophies. Additionally, Henry said he would be joining Sky Sports’ broadcast team.

Henry, 37, leaves the game having claimed trophies everywhere he has gone. He has won a World Cup, UEFA European Championship, UEFA Champions League, multiple La Liga and Premier League titles, a Ligue 1 crown and MLS Supporters’ Shield,, among other championships.

“After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football,” Henry wrote. “It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, teammates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National Team that have made my time in the game so special.

“It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports. I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys.”

Henry finishes his playing days as France’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals in 123 appearances, and also netted an additional 360 times at the club level. He scored 28 goals for Monaco, three for Juventus, a club-record 228 for Arsenal, 49 for Barcelona and 52 for the Red Bulls.

He signed with the MLS club midway through the 2010 season, spending the final four-and-a-half years of his career in New York. There, he added to his collection of highlight-reel goals and magical moments while also helping the club end its trophy-less drought with the capture of the 2013 Supporters’ Shield.

In total, Henry combined to score and assist on 93 goals for the Red Bulls. He captained the side during much of his tenure, and also led the club to a deep playoff push this season that ended at the Eastern Conference Finals.

The final game of Henry’s illustrious career came in the 2-2 draw away to the New England Revolution in the second leg of that series on Nov. 29. His final goal was the winner in a 1-0 home victory vs. the Houston Dynamo on Oct. 4.

Henry had said after the season that he would think about what to do next in his career, and was linked with a return to Arsenal. Henry, however, has hung up his cleats for the final time and will now shift his focus to broadcasting and coaching.

“I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience,” Henry wrote. “I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part. See you on the other side…”

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What do you think of Henry’s decision to retire? How do you look back on his accomplished career? What’s your favorite Henry moment?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Not shocked to hear this, he has been extremely good in the limited broadcasting appearances he has done. There was a lot of speculation there would be a big bidding war between companies for his services after he retired. I still remember him correctly stating before the last 16 draw for the CL last year that Atletico would be extremely dangerous and the other pundits all thought they’d be super easy.

    Also I know some people above me wished he would retire as a Red Bull but this guy is Arsenal through and through, when he says “we” he is talking about Arsenal. That is the club he identifies himself with and he is one of the greatest to play there.

    Reply
    • ^This

      He has played for great clubs: AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, NYRB, but he is an Arsenal man through and through. When he says “we” he is only speaking of The London Arsenal. No matter where he played afterwards.

      Reply
  2. Finest footballer to ever grace our shores. Congrats, Titi. He was the first soccer player I could recognize and name, and he made me an MLS fan, even though I support the Galaxy.

    Reply
    • Also not an attention sloot like landon donovan. No farewell tour needed. He doesn’t require our approval to know he’s the best.

      Reply
      • Landon didn’t “require” anything. The league recognized Landon because of his momentous contributions to our league’s current success. He’s a huge part of American soccer. Henry was a better player, but Landon did more for the game in this country. No need to crap on LD while complimenting Henry.

      • Also, to be fair, Landon has six versions of the only title Henry played for and never won, MLS cup. Makes sense MLS would honor that. (I doubt titi ever played in an open cup game so I won’t hold that against him) you can honor great players without diminishing others, right?

    • I actually got the same vibe. Considering his enthusiasm to come here and long stay why not do us the mutual honor of retiring a Red Bull.

      At least it’s not Beckham playing a couple months more and then retiring from a PSG team that barely used him.

      We’re at least getting more players like this with some gas in the tank, you’ll know we’ve really made it when they retire from our teams.

      Reply
      • Beckham is and was all about the money. I expected nothing less from him than to take a golden parachute from PSG. But I don’t begrudge him for it. He showed fairly well in Paris, considering his age. Anytime a player of his age goes from MLS back to a European league and bags a couple assists, which he did, it’s a feather in the cap of our league (or so I choose to believe).

      • Just wanted to point out that Beckham ostensibly gave his ostensibly gave his PSG salary to charity.*

        So, I’m not really enitrely on board with the idea that the PSG stop was for money as much as a last hurrah.

        *http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2272183/David-Beckhams-PSG-salary-donation-PR-stunt–Des-Kelly.html

  3. He spent almost a quarter of his career in MLS and instead of going to many other teams that would have him…he retired. Puts Lampard, wanting his big club cake and eating MLS frosting too, into perspective. MLS has a LOT to offer.

    Pleasure watching him. The game just seemed so slow for him. He would see a pass that wouldnt be expected. Take a shot when it would score. Just phenominal. And his demeanor seemed to be upset at times, but I think it was just wanting to win that badly. Pleasure.

    Reply

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