Henry Retires from Les Bleus

July 15th, 2010 | by: Sarah |

Henry clapping the crowd

Its a sad day we all knew was coming. France’s all-time record goal scorer, Thierry Henry has officially hung up his boots for France. His retirement was confirmed when he was unveiled as a Red Bulls player in New York. He was quoted by the Associated Press as saying this is “the end for me on the national team.” While its sad that its “official,” the chance of him being called-up again for France were probably little to none anyways.

My biggest sadness about this situation is not necessarily that he retired, but the way he went out. For such a competitor to go out whimpering, licking his wounds was such a sorry sight. For a player who had accomplished so much to feel like no one respected him or wanted him to lead them was even worse.

I’m not sure what the future holds for Henry in New York (as a New Yorker, I’m hoping it includes trophies)- but I hope he is able to end his club career on a higher note than his international career. Best of Luck Henry!

Dave from The Offside-Red Bulls will be at the Thierry Henry press conference today in New York. I suggest visiting the Red Bulls Blog or following him on twitter for live updates!

PS- Im working on a top 10 Henry moments for the National Team post. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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Doumé

Titi, best of luck to you. It's a long way from Les Ulys, the bad place South of Paris, to New-York. You earned every step of it with your talent, and fortune made it possible for you to meet very good people early in your carreer, like Thuram and Trézéguet. You were part of a formidable crew and held your own, part of a great generation and did the best of it. The goals you scored for us were plenty. From what I know in your stardom you remained a human being.
Those from the France blog who can go see you will do it with pleasure and great memories; you have in you some hell left to give the MLS defenses!
Wushugene

The one and only time he combined with Zidane for Les Bleus – that 1-0 volley to knock Brazil out in the quarter-finals four years ago
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

I'd include leading France to a confederations cup victory because even though it's not a much fancied tournament, and even though it was overshadowed by Vivien-Foe's death, it was a time when Henry's France form was as good as his Arsenal form, which was in the stratosphere.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

Without a doubt.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Gaston-Mulisanga/1102718568 Gaston Mulisanga

i'm sad, i didn't want to see him leave, after nearly 15 years of watching france play. it will be wierd to not see him
johnjohn10

I thought he should have stayed until the Euros. He still has game and the team and new manager could have used him.

Plus I'm not happy to see him end his international career on a low.
Phil23

I'll be going to see him when he plays the San Jose Earthquakes here, I'll be front and center in my France 98 jersey with a big placard thanking him for all the magic!
Mikhail

I'm gonna make a brave prediction: Barring injuries, Henry will dominate in MLS and finish top scorer.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Jeff

The first goal he scored in '98, maybe.
JeanFrancoisRacinet

1. His three goals in WC '98
2. Euro 2000
3. Confederations cup 2001? Not sure how much he contributed
4. Golden goal in Confederations cup 2003
5 '06 goal against Brazil
6. France 2 – 0 Lithuania 2007 (Thierry Henry becomes highest scorer in French History)
France1993

i wanna wanna wanna see him in the non playing beckham role together with zidane!
Doumé

I think there was also an important goal against (gasp) Ireland that qualified us for, I think the WC 06.
ThomasSessegnon

in New York or San Jose? Do any of you know when they're coming to the SF Bay Area, be it for friendly or MLS game?
sandra350

No matter what, Henry will alway always be special to me – I had the privilege of seeing many times at Arsenal and in 4 CL games in Europe (incl. Arsenal's defeat of Real Madrid, with zizou on the pitch). I will always love him for giving me so much joy in watching a football player create art. I am desperately hoping he finds good form in the MLS and makes Red Bulls fans happy. I know he's always had a love affair with NYC and that it was here that he'd come if he ever came to the US.
pierrot

i wonder if this could afford blanc an opportunity for a candid, inside assessment of the state of the NT. “come on titi, level with me. wtf happened, and what is really going on in the team???” i don't know if there's a personal relationship between them, but one would think that they at least respect each other, and that, having retired, henry would be frank with his fellow 98'er. blanc's said he doesn't know who the 'hard core' of the team is, if it exists at all. maybe titi can fill him in, or at least identify who isn't.
johnjohn10

I was at the Ireland France game …. The now infamous hand of thierry. That's why I wanted him to continue to play for the NT. Leaving the world scene on such a low is not what he deserves, despite what the Irish say.
http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/ GFC

A good move for Titi, I might have to get my first MLS jersey! For me one of the biggest moments for Henry was the penalty he converted in the 1/4 finals of the World Cup in 1998 as a 20 year old stepping up and slotting home showed not only tremendous confidence from Jacquet but also the player's sang froid. The goal he scored against Ireland at Landsdowne rd to get France into the World Cup 2006 was also huge. Also his goal against Brazil in the 1/4 finals of the WC 2006 was another Titi moment.

More of my ramblings – http://bit.ly/cNWuyl

Merci Titi!
James

If Henry does dominate the MLS and France finds themselves in the position that they need him, I could see him break his retirement. Henry loves les bleus as much as any other player. Truth be told, I'm even more a Titi fan than a fan of the FNT. For years, he really has been the FNT to me, and this is really the begining of a new era. The only way I see us doing well in 2012 is if Benzema steps up his game and plays like we all hope he could. Of course, he could be in jail.
yvette

but you need to be more in to the game guy great game but wished youz wwere better