Thierry Henry reveals depression battle

THIERRY HENRY fought back tears as he opened up over his battle with depression.

The Arsenal legend also revealed he cried “every day” after a traumatic childhood in an emotional interview.

Henry (46) won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups during an incredible 226 goal spell at Highbury.

He went on to enjoy league and European success at Barcelona.

And Henry now manages France’s

U21s after stints with Monaco, Montreal Impact and Belgium.

But speaking to Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Henry lifted the lid on his secret battle with depression.

The World Cup winner with France revealed:

“Throughout my career, I must have been in depression.

“Did I know it? No.

Did I do something about it? Obviously no. But I had adapted in a certain way.

“I was lying for a very long time because society wasn’t ready to hear what I had to say.” Henry also revealed he cried every day during the Covid lockdown while being away from his family as he managed Canadian side Montreal.

He continued: “Everything came at once, especially during the Covid time. “I knew it before but I was lying to myself. I was making sure those feelings weren’t going too far, I put the ‘cape’ on. But when you’re not a player anymore, you can’t put that ‘cape’ on anymore.

“We tend to run instead of facing our problems, that is what we do all the time. We try to stay busy, we try to avoid the problem or not think about it. “Covid happened and I asked ‘why are you running, what are you doing?’ I was isolated and not being able to see my kids for a year was tough. I don’t even need to explain that one.

“Something like that had to happen to me to understand vulnerability, empathy, crying. Understand that emotions are emotions. Anger is normal but don’t become angry. Jealousy is normal but don’t become jealous.

“I was crying almost every day for no reason, tears were coming. I don’t know why but maybe they were waiting for a very long time.

“I don’t know whether that needed to come out. It was weird, but in a good way. There was stuff I couldn’t control and I didn’t try to.

“You have been told since you’re young, whether at home or in your job, ‘don’t be that guy, don’t show you’re vulnerable. If you cry, what are they going to think?’” — The Sun.