Thierry Henry on Infamous Handball: 'When Messi Does It, He's a Genius'

Thierry Henry has blasted all the people that criticised him for his now-infamous handball against the Republic of Ireland back in 2009.

Henry famously handled the ball before setting William Gallas for an extra-time goal that ultimately proved decisive in sending France to the World Cup at Ireland's expense. 

In the aftermath of the game, Henry was heavily criticised but has now said he couldn't understand the backlash and that when Barcelona star Lionel Messi did something similar, he was hailed as a genius. 

In an interview on French television, he said, as per the Irish Examiner: 

"

I spoke to the press that night. I could have ignored them but I didn’t. I spoke honestly. It was a reflex. A reflex by a competitor, just like when you reach out for the ball on the line when your goalkeeper is beaten.

When I see Messi scoring against Espanyol, diving to touch the ball with his hand, people say, 'What a genius, now he is closer than ever to Maradona.' But when it was me, it was like I had killed someone.

"

Henry was playing for Barcelona at the time of the incident but moved to the MLS and the New York Red Bulls soon afterwards.

Henry scoffed at suggestions that he left European football to "escape" the criticism he received for the handball:

"

I’ve always wanted to go there (to the USA). Anyone who knows me would tell you. To escape what? To escape who? I wanted to go as soon as 2009, but I didn’t because I kept playing with the national team. It's total rubbish.

"

[Irish Examiner]