Bigheaded, Egotistical Henry Update

December 4th, 2006 | by: Laurie |

Okay, after much effort I’ve kind of found what I was looking for, both in English and in French. (The format for the original article wouldn’t allow for direct quotes or links. Sorry!)

But here’s the scoop. According to yesterday’s Journal Du Dimanche, with excerpts in England’s Daily Mirror, there are a number of French folks who are none too happy with Thierry Henry. As I said in the previous post, he has been described (anonymously, of course,) as egotistical, pretentious, and “an enormous bighead.” (The French quote, which for some reason makes me giggle, “Il a un melon énorme.”)

From the Daily Mirror: “A member is quoted as saying: ‘He is intelligent and brilliant, but can show himself to be quick- tempered and contemptuous. When you point it out to him, he claims he was brought up that way.’”

Others complain about an absence of joy after goals, his lack of spontaneity, and the way he doesn’t allow what he does to be called into question. It’s also a point of contention that Domenech seems to have built the team around him, which keeps others from flourishing. From The Daily Mirror article: “One player said: ‘The coach, Raymond Domenech, built the team so Henry plays alone up front. But that has killed off Trezeguet.’” (I don’t have much to say about the rest of this, but I am so in agreement with this particular observation.)

So all is not happy-happy in France-land. But he is still loved in England, despite a recent little spat with Arsene.

(I’ve also found an article with a somewhat humorous response from Henry, but I can’t verify the source yet. If it turns out to be legit, I’ll post it later. )

France World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Luis

Egoist! No, but you can’t be that damn good and not get a fat head.
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ Laurie

I dunno, Luis. Zidane seems to have managed it. (But, okay, maybe I’m a little biased.)

According to the article, one of the reasons people are so bent out of shape is that when Zidane left, Henry tried to fill the leadership vacuum in a way that was “maladroit.” (Which the Mirror article translates as “tactless.”) Since the captain is technically Vieira, I can see why this offends some people. Me included.
Luis

It is all very French, isn’t it?
http://www.dribblz.com Vlad

Henry was and still is one of the best strikers in the world and, as Luis said, this might also have gone up to his head, especially he doesn’t have a lot of football time left
Chris

What do you expect? This guy has a man crush on Allen Iverson!

http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/the-newest-soccer-fan-allen-iverson.html
Henry

Hey Luis how big is you TV in your parents basement?
Luis

Hey Henry – big enough for your fat head. How’s the Ronaldo bashing working out for you CR19?
Henry

Not very fulfilling, its too easy. IT does it to himself.

ANd remember like I told you before I only dispise it because I know of the talent he contains only if showed maturity past a 12 year old. But yes Luis you keep defending him as your lover. You act as if you have a emotional atrachment to him. Maybe it is you with fat head.
http://italy.theoffside.com Martha

I have no idea what this says, but I see a picture of Henry, and the translation says “Cannavaro to Berlin has put to me to the carpet after 1.” That’s can’t possibly be good.
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ Laurie

Hmmm. I believe in this instance we need a second translating program — this one “Translaterese to English.” I can’t make heads or tails of it either, even though I think I’ve read most aspects of the story elsewhere and feel like I should be able to piece SOMETHING together!
http://italy.theoffside.com Martha

It actually sounds sort of dirty … maybe you can tie it in to that Juve video?
http://france.worldcupblog.org/ Laurie

Cannavaro putting Henry to the carpet? Hmmm… You’re right. Add in some whips and horses and they could play for Juve!