Thierry Henry, the legend of our time.

Thierry Henry

One of the world's most prolific forwards or strikers over the past two decades, Thierry Daniel Henry, retired from football in his twenty-years of illustrious football career. He's by far my favourite player and the one who made me to support Arsenal.

The former New York Red Bulls, FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Juventus and AS Monaco star was capped 123 times for Les Blues France from 1997-2010, and an all time leading scorer for France, 51 goals.

Henry is beloved for his sublime technical ability, sharp acumen, anticipation and nose for goal.

Born in Les Ulis, Essone (a suburb of Paris) on 17th August 1977, aged 37 years. He was a product of Clairefontaine academy supervise by the French Football Federation-one of the best known football academy in the world. With high reputation of producing some of the most gifted French players including, Nicolas Anelka, Louis Saha, William Gallas, Hatem Ben Arfa, Medhi Benetia.

Henry played for Monaco from 1994-1999, Juventus for a season in 1999 before moving to English side Arsenal to link up with his old manager Arsene Wenger.

It was Arsenal that Henry made his name as a world-class footballer. He was brought in as a replacement for fellow French forward Nicolas Anelka, and Henry was moulded into a striker by Wenger, a move that would pay rich dividends in years to come.

However, a doubt were raised about his ability to adapt to the quick and physical English game when he failed to score in his first eight games.

Wenger pep-talk to Henry motivated him and he became Arsenal's top scorer every season for seven straight seasons and top scorer in the English Premier League in four season and all time Arsenal's goal scorer with 228 goals, 175 in the Premier League, and scored 50 goals in the Champions League.

Henry left Arsenal to signed for Barcelona on 25 June 2007, a reported fee of £16.1m (€24m). He went on to win La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa due Espana, UEFA Champion League, UEFA Super cup and FIFA Club World cup.

On May 5, 2010, Barca president Joan Laporta stated that, Henry, "may go away in the summer transfer window if that he want".
After 2010 world cup, it was confirmed that Henry will leaved to an unnamed club.

In July 2010, Henry signed a multi-year contract with Major League Soccer club, New York Red Bulls for four and half-years. He also won MLS Supporter Shield and MLS Eastern Conference two times.

On 1st December 2014, it was announced that Henry had left New York Red Bulls four and a half-year at the club.

Henry had a successful spell with the French national team and was part of the squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 1998 as host nation, he ended the tournament as France's top scorer with three goals.

He was a member of France's UEFA Euro 2000 squad that won the championship.
And in 2003 FIFA Confederation Cup, he helped France to win it.

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENT

Monaco
Ligue 1 (1) 1996-97
Trophee des champions (1) 1997

Arsenal
Premier League (2) 2001-02,2003-04
FA Cup (3) 2002, 2003, 2004
FA Community Shield (2) 2002, 2004

Barcelona
La Liga (2) 2008-09, 2009-10
Copa del Rey (1) 2008-09
Supercopa de Espana (1) 2009
UEFA Champions League (1) 2008-09
UEFA Super Cup (1) 2009
FIFA Club World Cup (1) 2009

New York Red Bulls
MLS Supporter Shield (1) 2013
MLS Eastern Conference (2) 2010,2013

National
FIFA World Cup
Winner, 1998
Runner-up, Germany 2006
UEFA European Football Championship, winner, 2000
FIFA Confederation Cup, winner:France 2003
King Hassan ll International Cup Tournament, winner Morocco, 2000
French U-18 European Champion, 1996

European Golden Boot winner 2004, 2005 - first ever player to win it two years in a succession

Premier League Golden Boot winner, 2002, 04, 05, 06- first ever player to win it three in a succession

English Player of the Year, 2003, 04- first ever to win it two years in succession

English Football Writers Players of the year, 2003, 04, 05- first ever player to win it two times succession and first player to win it three times

French Young Player of the year, 1997

On 16 December 2014, Henry announced his retirement as a player, and would begin working for Sky Sports from 2015.

Henry played 917 games in all competition and scored 441 goals.

As an ardent Arsenal fan, it's my prayer that a day will come when you'll manage our dearest club.

Congratulations, Ayekooooo and more grace to your elbows Thierry Henry "Titi"

Gunners for life.

Evans Obu
Freelance Sports Journalist