Even though the French national football team is really not in their best form, we couldn’t have a 2010 World Cup player profile special without Thierry Henry. France’s top goal-scorer of all time is also one of the the biggest fan favourites, and his recent performances with Barcelona will definitely guarantee another World Cup competition for the charismatic striker.

Thierry Henry was recently in the news after his controversial handball against Ireland (see video below). France was once again with their back against the wall, facing disqualification from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and during the playoff game Henry used his hand twice to control the ball before passing the game winner. The video circulated the world and Thierry Henry was accused of cheating, to the point that he wanted to retire early from the national team and international football. Everybody saw what really happened but FIFA decided not to take action and sanction Henry adding more to the controversy.

Thierry Henry started playing football at just 6 years old and despite not being really attracted to the sport (his father had to often push him to attend practice) showed great potential. In 1994 Henry made his professional debut with Monaco playing as a winger, before coach Arsène Wenger decided to also try him as a striker. The position change gave wings to the player and in the following years helped Monaco win a League 1 title, play in the Champions League semi-final, and Henry was called in the 1998 World Cup tournament when France won the trophy for the very first time.

Henry was then transferred to Juventus where was once again asked to play in the left wing, and was completely ineffective. After the season was over the player jumped to Arsenal and his previous coach Arsène Wenger put him right away in the striker position. During the next few years Thierry Henry turned into the word class player we all know, becoming the all-time top goal scorer for the English club and winning numerous personal titles, including being nominated twice for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Arsenal was dominating in the domestic tournaments winning two Premiership titles as well as three FA Cups, but was struggling in the European competitions. Henry is a player that wants to win everything, and in 2007 jumped ship and went to play in Spain for FC Barcelona. In the next few years Barcelona reached the top in every major football competition, winning the first sextuple (all six titles) in history, with Thierry Henry leading the team in goals during most of his time there.

So here is a man that has already won it all, but coming to South Africa will be remembered as the player who cheated for France. It seems like no matter what happens in the 2010 World Cup most people would still think that the French should not be playing at all. Thierry Henry is definitely the kind of player that shines in these competitions, but this time it just looks like the battle is already lost.

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