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Thierry Henry: I almost quit international football
23.11.09
France captain Thierry Henry admits he considered quitting international football following the uproar caused by his part in the goal which sent Les Bleus to the World Cup finals at the Republic of Ireland's expense.
The Barcelona forward's blatant handball in the build-up to William Gallas' extra-time equaliser last Wednesday night went unpunished and sent the French through 2-1 on aggregate.
Henry knows his reputation will always be marked by events in Paris last week and claims he contemplated retiring before opting to continue his France career.
The 32-year-old told L'Equipe: "Yes, I asked myself the question.
"Without the support of my family, I perhaps would not have made the same decision.
"But I will always fight to the end - even if what just happened will be engraved. You can always forgive but you cannot always forget."
He added: "Despite everything that has happened, the fact of feeling abandoned, I do not let go of (playing for) my country.
"After the game, and even for the next two days, I felt alone, truly alone. It was only after I sent my statement that people from the French federation appeared."
The former Arsenal striker released a statement on Friday claiming a replay of the World Cup qualification play-off would be "the fairest solution" - hours after FIFA had ruled that the result could not be changed and the match could not be replayed.
But he insisted: "We worked on this release with my lawyer without knowledge that the international federation would meet the same day on the subject."
Henry, France's record scorer with 51 goals, opted to celebrate with his team-mates rather than immediately admit his handball offence to referee Martin Hansson, and concedes now that that was a mistake.
"I should not have done it," he said. "But frankly, it was uncontrollable. After all that had happened... yes, I regret it. That's why right after I spoke with the Irish one by one."
Reader views (7)
It's a good job it was only a game ... (duck, cower!)
- Paul, London
What Henry did firstly was despicable then he compounds it by saying the game should be replayed after FIFA said no chance and finally he says he considered quitting, don't insult our intelligence. Gotta go I'm considering withdrawing all my cash from the bank and walking along Oxford Street throwing it in the air.
- Bluetooth, London
Wigan players are refunding Wigna fans after their poor display and losing to Tottenham 9-1. Will Thierry Henry offer to refund the Irish fans after cheating them so badly?
- Jethro Penzance, Bodmin
Do we really care about Henry’s "feelings"?
I very much doubt he had any intent of quitting. Maybe it entered his head for a second, but if he's honest it's more likely that he simply wished the furore would go away and it occurred to him that if he didn't play international football then wouldn't have to face this kind of situation.
Even if he did seriously think about quitting, it must have been for all of 48 hours, given the timing of the interview and the fact he's decided not to go after all.
Hardly an indication of life-changing turmoil. More like he wants to have his cake and eat it; we have to sympathise with his loneliness, while he reaps the benefit of the “goal”
- Mike, Guildford, UK
He should just keep his mouth closed - these comments make are futile - considered retiring from international football - please - and his celebration afterwards with the French team does not match up with these current comments he is now making - too little too late - fantastic player but will forever be tarnished with the hand of bleu .......
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia
I think a change of career is certainly worth considering. TH's attempts to justify his actions on the grounds that it was entirely the responsibility of the referee to penalise him are indicative of an attitude that we have certainly seen elsewhere in abundance eg. in politics and banking. There is certainly a 'cultural fit' in this respect. It might be added that the analogy of a blind referee is an appropriate metaphor for our hopelessly inept financial regulators.
- K Lynch, Dublin
If he knew immediately that what he did was wrong, why did he need to "work on his press realease with his Lawyer"? Surely a simple "I was wrong and I regret my actions" doesn't need input from a lawyer, especially if it's from the heart!! On the other hand, if the statement is all about saving face and, perhaps more importantly, rescuing his reputation in the eyes of his sponsors (apprx £15m per year I understand), then maybe a lwayer is needed - but of course then you have to question the validity of his statement. Can't have it both ways Thierry!!!
- Malcolm, London
