Emmanuel Petit Blasts 'Arrogant, Smug, Lying and Hypocritical' French over Henry

After announcing this week that he was leaving New York Red Bulls, as reported by BBC Sport, it would appear that Thierry Henry's illustrious career is coming to an end. 

Henry has certainly been one of the game's best strikers of the last 25 years, but he has not been given the credit he deserves in his native France, at least that is the view of his former Arsenal and France team-mate Emmanuel Petit. 

Petit told Sports.fr, in quotes translated by Goal.com, that France was "hypocritical and cowardly," in an astonishing outburst that even referenced the country's historically turbulent relationship with neighbouring Germany. 

Petit said: 

"

In England, they've built a statue of Thierry. That means a lot. He's adored there. It bothers me.

What can we reproach Henry for? His handball against Ireland? He helped France qualify for the World Cup in South Africa. He has done nothing.

France is hypocritical and cowardly. Sometimes I think that if we'd been overrun by the Germans, we'd be better run.

He's not hated but he's certainly not loved.

 

"

Petit played 63 times for France, and scored for them in the 1998 World Cup final, but he admitted that he had: "great difficulty with the French, I have never seen such arrogant, smug, lying and hypocritical people."

Henry played for France on 123 occasions, scoring 51 goals. 

Petit and Henry were also both on the Arsenal team that won the double in 1998.

[Goal.com]