READY FOR THE FINAL PUSH?

England’s Harry Kane, right, plays a game of tag with England’s Kieran Trippier

WHEN

France line up for their World Cup semifinal French great Thierry Henry will stare back at them from the Belgium bench — and the French can’t stop talking about it. Some in France have even branded him a “traitor”.

Henry, who was part of the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, has been assistant manager to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez since 2016 and has helped guide the Red Devils to the last four of a World Cup for just the second time.

“His heart will be divided,” said French captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

“He is first and foremost French. But tomorrow, on a professional level, he will be putting all the passion that drives him into the Belgian team.” On social media networks in France, where the nation’s most hot-headed and opinionated commenters tend to hang out, Henry has even been branded a “traitor” for taking a role with the Belgian national team.

Coming to Henry’s defense was former team mate and fellow World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit who slammed the criticism of Henry as “a load of rubbish”.

So too, to be fair did many others, but it’s clear the presence of Henry among the Belgian ranks has added extra spice to Tuesday’s mouthwatering World Cup semi-final clash.

While Henry might be France’s all time top scorer his infamous “hand of frog” handball to help France get o the World Cup in 2010 only to help orchestrate a players’ strike once there means he is not quite the most loved of France’s 1998 World Cup winning side.

The row over Henry’s role has been raging for days and if Belgium win and Henry is caught on camera showing any kind of smile, we can expect him to become France’s official public enemy number one.

The irony that a player who scored 51 goals in 123 international appearances and helped France become world and European champions is now plotting to stop them reaching the final in Russia is not lost on the current French team. “It will be bizarre to have him up against us,” forward Olivier Giroud said. “He is a living legend of French football.

“He has given so much to the France team and we have got a lot of respect for what he has done.”

“But of course I would be proud to show ‘Titi’ that he has chosen the wrong camp,” Giroud added, using Henry’s French nickname.

Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne said Henry had talked little about his feelings. “Perhaps he will sing the Marseillaise (before the game), which I find normal,” De Bruyne said.

“It might be a bit difficult for him but he’s working for Belgium now, he wants us to win.” After spending most of his career at Premier League club Arsenal and putting down roots in England, 40-yearold Henry has had little involvement in French football despite being one of the most popular players that France has ever produced. French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet said that “we’ve rather lost sight of him and he has little contact with the federation”.

“Life can be like that sometimes. He has been in England a long time and personally I have very little contact with him,” Le Graet said.