Thierry Henry is facing a messy divorce battle after he told his ex-wife to keep her hands off his cash.

The formal Arsenal striker warned Claire Merry her reported demands for £10m were unrealistic and she should prepare for a tough time in court.

Merry, 27, a former model, was granted a quickie divorce from Henry, 30, last September after she found raunchy texts on his phone and he went on dates with make-up artist Sadie Hewlett.

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See you in court: Thierry Henry has hired top lawyers to fight ex-wife Claire Merry's claim on his £10million fortune

Merry and Henry, married for four years, met in 2001 while filming a Renault Clio advert and have a twoyearold daughter, Tea.

After the divorce was granted for his " unreasonable behaviour", Merry, from Croydon, vowed to take the FC Barcelona star  -  said to be worth £25million  -  to the cleaners.

She is demanding a settlement based on his earnings. It includes money from his ad deals with Pringles and McDonald's and a cut of the £5.9million marital home in Hampstead, North London.

In 2004, ex-wife of England and Arsenal star Ray Parlour won maintenance amounting to more than a third of his future income.

In the initial settlement, Karen Parlour was given two mortgage-free houses worth more than £1million and a £250,000 lump sum.

But she was told by the Court of Appeal her award of £250,000 a year personal maintenance would go up to £406,500 and be reviewed in four years.

Henry has hired London lawyers Mishcon de Reya, who represented Princess Diana and Heather Mills in their divorce battles.