PSG Miss out on Striking Option After France Legend Thierry Henry Retires

Legendary French footballer Thierry Henry has finally hung up his boots at 37 years of age, according to his most recent post on his official Facebook account.

The former AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls man has brought the curtain down on a glittering, trophy-laden career that has seen him win almost everything he could have possibly laid his hands on.

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However, many feel that the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner could have still continued to play for a little while longer. A swansong in Ligue 1 could have been a possibility and a return to formative club Monaco may well have appealed, but Henry ultimately decided against it.

After leaving the Red Bulls at the beginning of this month following their Major League Soccer Eastern Conference final defeat, a David Beckham-esque six-month stint in Le Championnat before finishing his career was still a possibility.

While Monaco would likely have still been his destination of choice if he was to return to France—perhaps it was until Les Monegasques and Arsenal were paired together in the UEFA Champions league last 16 on Monday—that is no longer a possibility.

The principality outfit are not the only ones missing out because of Henry’s decision, though.

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PSG, like with Beckham back in the 2012-13 season, could have used the Frenchman’s experience to help them during the second half of the season and offered him another taste of continental competition, as well as a return to his home city.

Although Monaco—as well as one or two other French sides—could also have used his talents in front of goal, even if he physically is not what he once was, a PSG move might have made the most sense for the player.

Had Henry signed a short-term deal with PSG, he would have been in a very comfortable position for his final days as a player. He would not have been considered a first choice in attack with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani already at Parc des Princes, but he would have brought some valuable experience to the team.

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Since the super Swede’s heel injury earlier this season, Les Parisiens have been in need of another attacking option. However, one who would be willing to start on the bench and occasionally feature in the first XI, providing a different dimension towards the end of games when coach Laurent Blanc needs to change things up.

At present, he has few reliable options to replace either Ibrahimovic or Cavani. Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi are both too wasteful in front of goal, while Jean-Christophe Bahebeck has struggled with injuries of late.

Henry would have been the perfect player to bring on late in games to try to nick a goal to make the difference between one point and three. He could also have more than held his own if playing from the start, based on his final showings in MLS with the Red Bulls, but such a deal would have kept him in optimum condition considering that he was already fighting fit from the US season.

FRANCOIS MORI/Associated Press

Like Beckham, Henry would have also given PSG a commercial lift—although perhaps not quite as sharp now considering how the club has grown since the Englishman’s short spell in Paris—so he would have been the perfect signing on a limited time deal.

However, it is all just fantasy now. Henry departs the game as a legend and deservedly so. While it is disappointing that he will not make one final appearance in Ligue 1, it is also understandable that the player does not wish to finish his career in France.

Henry was often never treated with the respect that a player of his talent deserved by the press in his home country, despite finishing his international career as Les Bleus’ all-time top scorer and the second most-capped player behind Lilian Thuram.

Perhaps the recent clamour to see Henry handed one final game with the national team was an acknowledgement from the French press and some members of the public that they could have treated him better than they did.

Regardless, Henry will be fondly remembered by millions and sorely missed from the game, even if his decision to bow out now does appear to be the right one.