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HUGO LLORIS has summed up the dilemma facing France legend Thierry Henry tonight.
Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Henry has been plotting a French downfall in his role as assistant to Belgium manager Roberto Martinez.
A win in tonight’s semi-final and he will celebrate his contribution to Belgium’s best-ever campaign. But such a result would plunge the very fans who idolised him 20 years ago into abject misery.
In the Thierry Henry Derby, the former French striker will be left with a tinge of regret at the final whistle no matter what the result.
“His heart will be split,” said Tottenham’s French keeper Lloris. “Before anything he is is French.
“He has been a great player. He has scored the most goals, he is second in caps won. He left a mark on the history of Les Bleus. He has a lot of passion for football inside him.”
He has indeed. Nobody could question Henry’s commitment in a France shirt. He won 123 caps, is the country’s record scorer with 51 goals, and helped Les
Bleus to win the
World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship two years later.
When he wanted to move into coaching, however, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would only let him take charge of the youth team – and even then on the proviso that Henry gave up his lucrative job as a TV pundit.
There were no such demands from the Belgians – the former Everton manager Martinez welcomed him with open arms in 2016. It was a few weeks later, in his only interview relating to his post so far, that Henry outlined his responsibilities under Martinez. “I am not the national manager, neither am I the assistant manager,” he said. “I’m the T3, the third coach.
“It’s not the Thierry Henry show; I’m here to help the manager and the squad. The manager is the one who will do the talking, I will try to make the team better. “As a coach you don’t have to mention what you have done as a player in the past. And as a coach I haven’t proved anything.” Actually, he has. Under his guidance, not only has Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku scored the goals to challenge Harry Kane for the Golden Boot, he has also won over – with his intelligent running
Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Kante, Pogba, Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Chadli, Fellaini, Witsel, Carrasco, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku
Andres Cunha (Uru)
for the decisive goal against Japan – those who believed he was merely pace and power.
Henry has also inspired Eden Hazard to fulfil his potential at this tournament, particularly against Brazil who were unable to contain the Chelsea winger.
Tonight’s duel between him and French midfield star Paul Pogba (left) will be fascinating.
Lloris, set to win his 103rd cap, made his debut for France 10 years ago. His first two years for his country were Henry’s last. “Yes, I was lucky to play with him for two seasons,” he said.
“A huge player, a great gentleman of French football. It is a little bit peculiar that he is now with the Belgium team. But that is how he is earning his future career.”
It will be interesting to see whether Henry has much of a future in the hearts of his nation if he breaks them tonight.