When Superman Falls: Thierry Henry's Sad Story

What happens to Superman when he can’t be Superman anymore?

Well, this is a question with a simple answer. Superman never stops being Superman. Superman never ages and never loses his powers, and the only way to stop him is to kill him.

However, in the real world, where Superman does not exist, other idols take on this role for many people. In most cases it is taken by sporting figures, and one such sporting figure is Thierry Henry.

For nearly a decade at Arsenal he truly was Superman to the club. This one man could win Arsenal games by singlehandedly doing something special. His unmatched ability in the football field made him a hero.

Everyone relied on him to win the games, to score the goals, to be the leader. He was relied upon to do it because no one else could. He was Superman.

After the invincible season in 2003-2004, Henry and his sidekicks slowly disbanded. By the time Arsenal were playing in the 2006 Champions League final, only him and a couple more were left, at which time he was left up front by himself with limited service. Yet he was still being asked once again to be Superman.

However, this was becoming a problem for Henry. There were calls from Spain for him to leave Arsenal and join Barcelona’s super team, where he wouldn’t be the only Superman—he would have help. But why would Superman need help?

Also, despite the Champions League run, it was obvious all was not right. Arsenal were struggling, and Henry was having trouble saving them. He still saved them from time to time, but not as regularly. He has no sidekicks, said the papers. He is just having a hard time personally and professionally.

Then someone whispered the unthinkable reason: What if Superman is losing his powers?

Arsenal lost harshly to Barcelona’s super team in Paris. Hampered by an early sending off, Arsenal put on a brave display before Barcelona’s late show. This is what the papers said, but deep inside the belly of those match reports was Henry’s demise. Henry missed a one on one chance to make it 2-0 to Arsenal.

Two years ago, Henry missing a one on one like that wasn’t possible. Henry wouldn’t scuff a one on one under pressure. He was too cool for pressure. Henry is Superman. Isn’t he?

Henry resisted the call of Barcelona for another season, but it was a season to forget for Henry and Arsenal. Henry was saving Arsenal less and less during that season. That was, of course, if he was there at all. Henry was injured for most of the season.

Also, certain things became noticeable during the season. His trademark smile was replaced by a small frown. The goals of his teammates were polity applauded rather than celebrated. Private matters were also a factor, but it all led to the same conclusion: Superman had to leave Arsenal.

Henry arrived at Barcelona and received a hero’s welcome from the club. However, celebrations were short-lived, as Henry’s first season mimicked the last at Arsenal.

He struggled for form and fitness, but this time people didn’t care that much. Sure, they cared but there was Ronaldinho, Deco, and Samuel Eto’o to worry about as well. Henry was under less pressure to be Superman.

Henry took advantage of the relief of pressure and started to provide the form again, but it wasn’t as magical as before. He just scored the goals, but the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi were doing the skills and dribbles. Henry really wasn’t Superman anymore; he was just a sidekick.

At least this was the case at club level. At international level Henry was experiencing the same disintegration of a team he had experienced at Arsenal—stars of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly, and Didier Deschamps. He was being asked to be Superman for France more so than ever. The question was, could he still be Superman?

France’s qualification for the 2010 World Cup had been a shambles. They had made it through to the playoffs, but the lack of harmony and direction was obvious. Many said it was the lack of the stars of the previous generation, but many also blamed the manager.

Of the many that blamed the manager were the players. Henry stood up at a team meeting and told Raymond Domenech that they were left dazed and confused by his management. However, they had to put it aside for the playoff match against Ireland.

The first leg was at Croke Park and was seen by many as a leg in which Ireland must get a result. However, it was France who left with a 1-0 advantage thanks to Nicholas Anelka. Not many thought Ireland could win in France, but people still watched on Nov. 19, 2009.

On a cold night in Paris, Ireland provided a heart-driven display and were 1-0 up after 90 minutes, sending the game into extra time. The French had been poor, and Henry was no threat to the Irish defence. Extra time was passing harmlessly though the French tried to put the pressure on.

Henry then witnessed an action from a teammate of which he had never done himself. Anelka, charging through on goal, dived over Shay Given in an attempt to win a penalty. The ref was not fooled by Anelka’s act of deceit, and play was waved on.

Henry had never done what Anelka just did. Why would he need to? He was Superman, and Superman doesn’t cheat. He doesn’t need to cheat because he is Superman. Others cheat to beat him, not the other way around.

A few minutes later a free kick found him in the box, and the ball hit him on the arm. It was a chance for Superman to do what he does best.

However, had all the doubt, all the fear that he couldn’t do it anymore infected his mind? Was he was just an ordinary player now? Was he just an ordinary player being outplayed?

He knew what ordinary players would do to win. He knew it after all these years of being on the receiving end. Ordinary players do the things Superman doesn’t need to do. They cheat.

So what happens to Superman when he can’t be Superman anymore? Thierry Henry knows.