Matt Spirowrites that for all his talent and success the French fans have failed to take Henry to their hearts
THIERRY HENRY’S left hand may have been hailed as la main de dieu in France, yet comparisons between the Barcelona forward and Argentina’s legendary playmaker Diego Maradona end there as far as the French are concerned.
Henry, for one, has never been hero-worshipped in his homeland. His popularity peaked during an impressive Euro 2000 campaign, but these days a good proportion of French fans would be happy to see the skipper dropped. Whatever happens in the next years, Henry will never be held in the same esteem as people’s favourite Zinedine Zidane.
Both were exceptional in their pomp, Zidane arguably the greatest player of his generation. Yet Henry, don’t forget, is France’s all-time leading scorer, has already contributed more goal assists than Zidane – including one that should never have counted – and next summer will become the first Frenchman to play in four consecutive World Cups.
So why have the French refused to take this phenomenal player to their hearts? Ask your average fan in a Parisian bar and the chances are the word “arrogant” will crop up. “He loves himself too much”, or “he doesn’t even smile when he scores” are common complaints. Who knows, after Wednesday the word “cheat” may be added to the list.
Adoring Arsenal fans probably find such comments laughable, but the perception of Henry in France contrasts vividly with his clean-cut English image. He fell in love with English culture and English football during his eight years in London and resents, in particular, the absence of loyalty among French fans.
Tellingly, the 32-year-old once revealed the reaction of Gunners supporters during the 2006 Champions League final dissuaded him from leaving that summer. After missing a golden chance, fans at the Stade de France chanted his name for five minutes. In that stadium, he is more used to being whistled by his own fans after such lapses.
When Henry speaks English, he comes across as charming and intelligent. In French, he can sound condescending and, yes, arrogant. If his outstanding talent is rarely questioned, some accuse him of possessing an egotistical personality which is damaging for Les Bleus. In the 2006 World Cup campaign, Zidane came out of retirement, seized considerable power within the set up, and inspired France to the final. Since then, Henry has tried but failed to assume that powerful, senior role.
Three years ago, Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper published an astonishing study in which Henry was blamed for the ongoing malaise in the French camp. “When Zidane left Henry wanted to take the power but he’s been clumsy. He’s intelligent and brilliant but can be short-fused and scornful. When we tell him that he says it’s the way he’s been educated,” an unnamed France player is reported to have said
On the eve of France’s qualifier against Romania in September, more anonymous quotes appeared in Le Parisien newspaper, this time claiming Henry had launched a scathing verbal attack on Raymond Domenech in front of the squad.
Followers of the national team are convinced Henry took charge of the team at that moment and that Domenech is once again little more than a puppet. Aspects of Saturday’s game support that theory. Henry, for the first time, took responsibility for set pieces, leaving dead-ball specialist Yoann Gourcuff perplexed. Both Henry and Nicolas Anelka played with total freedom in Dublin, roaming into midfield, taking up the space Gourcuff was supposed to exploit and leaving Andre-Pierre Gignac isolated.
In the build-up to this play-off, Irish reports claimed Henry had ranted at Domenech over the non-selection of Patrick Vieira. French journalists are convinced that never happened. “There’s no way Henry would want Vieira back because then his position as the main man would be in doubt,” said Marc Sagne of RMC radio.
Most nations would be thrilled to count a player of Henry’s calibre as one of their own. The striker top-scored for his country in the triumphs of 1998 and 2000, volleyed in the winner against Brazil at the last World Cup, was France’s solitary scorer at Euro 2008, and has saved Domenech’s skin on numerous occasions.
The French, however, still struggle to even like the most prolific player in their rich history; and nothing Henry did this week will have improved his tarnished reputation.
Five Who Got Away With Cheating . . .and Five Who Came Clean About It
DIEGO MARADONA
Argentina v England
1986 World Cup
The original Hand of God. Maradona has doggedly refused to apologise for his infamous goal (pictured right) against England in the 1986 quarter-finals. Far from being embarrassed, Maradona admitted to adopting the same technique again four years later when he flicked away a shot on the line to deny Russia in the group stages.
LIONEL MESSI
Barcelona v Espanyol
2007 La Liga
Maradona's most recent successor in Argentina emulated his idol a little too faithfully a couple of seasons back. With Barcelona trailing 1-0 to city rivals Espanyol, Messi launched himself at a wayward cross before clearly palming it past goalkeeper Carlos Kameni. Messi would add a legitimate second as Barca won 2-1.
SLAVEN BILIC
France v Croatia
1998 World Cup
It should be remembered France have been on the wrong end of some questionable decisions themselves. In the 1998 semi-final, Bilic's theatrics when he pretended to have been headbutted by Laurent Blanc earned the bewildered French captain a red card and ruled him out of the decider.
HARALD SCHUMACHER
West Germany v France
1982 World Cup
Not so much cheating, as outright assault. In the 1982 World Cup semi-final, the goalkeeper's horrific lunge at the advancing Patrick Battiston left the Frenchman unconscious. Remarkably, France were not even awarded a free-kick and Schumacher helped his side win 5-4 on penalties.
ROBERTO ROJAS
Chile v Brazil
1990 World Cup qualifying
Knowing his side were likely to come unstuck against Brazil, Rojas, the Chilean goalkeeper, secreted a razor blade in his glove. When a firework was thrown onto the ground, he cut open his forehead, prompting the referee to abandon the game.
However, following a subsequent investigation, Brazil were awarded the match and Rojas received a life ban.
ROBBIE FOWLER
Arsenal v Liverpool
English Premier League 1997
Having taken a unforced tumble (ie, dived) in the Arsenal box, Fowler was aghast when the referee pointed to the spot and he asked the official to change his decision. Despite Fowler's entreaties to Gerald Ashby, the penalty stood. The striker's "sheepish" effort was saved by David Seaman – but the rebound was turned in by Jason McAteer.
ANDREY ARSHAVIN
Arsenal v Portsmouth
English Premier League 2009
The Russian won plaudits at the end of last season when he attempted to prevent a penalty being awarded against Pompey. After being tackled in the box by Sean Davis, Arshavin waved his finger at referee Lee Mason and pointed to the corner flag, but the penalty was awarded anyway. Portsmouth were left fuming as Nicklas Bendtner tucked away the spot kick.
HALE IRWIN
British Open 1983
Perhaps the most famous of many examples from golf. The American fresh-aired a putt from no more than two inches and immediately called a penalty on himself. That cost him a chance of the title as he lost to Tom Watson by a single shot.
MARK BUTCHER
The Ashes 2002
Cricketers may not be as honest as they used to be, but good old-fashioned sportsmanship is still in evidence. With England taking a pasting in the series, Butcher appeared to catch Steve Waugh's drive. England were in desperate need of a wicket, but Butcher shook his head at the umpire to signal the ball hadn't carried.
CARMELO VALENICA
Millonarios v Santa Fe
Colombia 2009
Okay, so Valenica's confession may have come after the fact, but it is surely worthy of a mention. Playing in the Colombian top flight, the Millonarios striker fooled the referee to win a penalty, his side equalised and Santa Fe goalkeeper Agustin Julio was sent off. But the "shame" was too much for Valenica, who proclaimed afterwards that "football is for the cunning, not for suckers". Those sentiments earned Valenica a ban.
