Ahead of Arsenal’s return to Santiago Bernabeu, Pulse Sports reminisce about Thierry Henry’s 2006 heroics and explore everything there is to know about the former World Cup winner and two-time Premier League champion. Who is Thierry Henry? Thierry Henry is a retired French international footballer widely regarded as one of the Premier League's greatest ever players. A supremely gifted forward, he possessed exceptional pace, skill and finishing ability. Henry enjoyed a trophy-laden career, most notably with Arsenal, where he became the club's record goalscorer and a key figure in their "Invincibles" season. He also achieved success with Barcelona, winning the Champions League. Following his playing career, Henry has ventured into coaching and punditry, remaining a prominent figure in the footballing world. Thierry Henry Age Thierry Henry was born on August 17, 1977, which makes him 47 years old (as of April 2025). Thierry Henry Height Thierry Henry is 6 feet two inches (1.88m) tall. Thierry Henry Ethnicity Thierry Henry is of Antillean heritage, with his parents originating from the French West Indies. His father, Antoine, is from Guadeloupe, and his mother, Maryse, is from Martinique. He was born and raised in Les Ulis, a suburb of Paris, France. Thierry Henry Biography Thierry Daniel Henry, born on August 17, 1977, in Les Ulis, France, is a retired professional footballer and current football coach. Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Henry's career is marked by exceptional skill, speed and goal-scoring prowess. Henry's journey began at AS Monaco, where he made his professional debut in 1994. Under the tutelage of Arsène Wenger, Henry developed into a key player, helping the club win the Ligue 1 title in 1997. His performances attracted attention, and in 1999, he transferred to Juventus. However, his time in Italy was short-lived, and he soon moved to Arsenal in England. It was at Arsenal that Henry truly blossomed into a world-class superstar. Reuniting with Wenger, he was transformed from a winger into a prolific striker. Henry's pace, technical ability and composure in front of goal made him a nightmare for defenders. He became Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with 228 goals in all competitions. Henry's impact at Arsenal was immense. He won two Premier League titles in 2002 and 2004, and three FA Cups in 2002, 2003 and 2005. The 2003-2004 season was particularly memorable, as Henry led the "Invincibles" to an unbeaten Premier League campaign. His individual accolades at Arsenal included four Premier League Golden Boots, two PFA Players' Player of the Year awards and three Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards. Besides his goal-scoring exploits, Henry was also known for his creative abilities. The Frenchman provided numerous assists for his teammates, showcasing his vision and passing range. His influence on Arsenal's attacking play was profound, and he is considered one of the greatest players in the club's history. After eight successful years at Arsenal, Henry moved to Barcelona in 2007. Although he initially struggled to replicate his Arsenal form, he eventually became an integral part of Pep Guardiola's treble-winning team in the 2008-2009 season, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. In 2010, Henry moved to the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He spent four and a half seasons in New York, becoming an important figure both on and off the pitch. Henry also had a distinguished international career with the French national team. He made his debut in 1997 and went on to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. Henry became France's all-time leading scorer with 51 goals, a record he held until 2022. Following his retirement from professional football in 2014, Henry transitioned into coaching and punditry. He has worked as a television analyst, sharing his insights and expertise on the game. Henry has also held coaching positions, including stints at Monaco and CF Montréal. In 2024, he coached the France Olympic team, leading them to a silver medal at the Summer Olympics on home soil. Thierry Henry Arsenal Thierry Henry's time at Arsenal, particularly between 1999 and 2007, coincided with a golden era for the club and established him as one of the Premier League's all-time greats. His statistical impact was profound and multifaceted. Across his two spells with Arsenal, Henry made 258 Premier League appearances. In these matches, he scored a remarkable 175 goals, making him Arsenal's record goalscorer in the competition and placing him high on the list of the league's most prolific strikers ever. This includes the single goal scored during his 2012 loan return. However, Henry's contribution extended far beyond merely finding the net. He also registered 74 assists in the Premier League for Arsenal, an exceptional tally for a primary centre-forward, which highlighted his remarkable vision, technique and unselfishness. Henry’s ability to score and create in high volume made him a unique dual threat. Indeed, this was perhaps best exemplified in the 2002-03 season, where he recorded an astonishing 24 goals and 20 assists in the league, showcasing his complete attacking repertoire. The forward’s dominance was recognised with a record four Premier League Golden Boot awards, secured in 2001-02 (24 goals), 2003-04 (30 goals), 2004-05 (25 goals) and 2005-06 (27 goals). Winning the award four times in just five seasons demonstrates an extraordinary level of sustained excellence and consistency at the very highest level of English football, a period where he was arguably the most feared forward in the league. Henry was also instrumental in Arsenal's unbeaten "Invincibles" season in 2003-04, and his individual brilliance was further acknowledged with two PFA Players' Player of the Year awards and three FWA Footballer of the Year awards. Thierry Henry vs Real Madrid Thierry Henry delivered a Champions League performance for the ages against Real Madrid in February 2006’s round of 16 first leg, as the Frenchman’s stunning solo goal and all-round brilliance left the Bernabeu faithful speechless, securing a crucial 1-0 victory. Amidst a challenging season marred by injuries and early exits from domestic cups, Arsenal faced a daunting task against the legendary Galacticos, featuring stars like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham. Despite the odds, Henry shone brightly, showcasing his extraordinary talent and resilience. He was instrumental from the start, creating opportunities before igniting the match with a breathtaking solo goal. Picking up the ball in the centre circle, he evaded multiple markers, including Ronaldo, before striking the ball past Iker Casillas. That goal not only turned the tide for Arsenal but also showcased Henry's class and determination, epitomising his status as a club legend. Throughout the game, the Gunners’ collective effort complemented the Frenchman’s brilliance, allowing them to secure an iconic victory. The match marked a significant turning point, rejuvenating the team’s spirit and setting the stage for their journey to the Champions League final later that season. Henry's performance is remembered as one of the defining moments of his career. Thierry Henry Barcelona Seeking new challenges, Thierry Henry moved to FC Barcelona in 2007. Over three seasons at the Camp Nou, he played 121 official matches, scoring 49 goals. While perhaps not the singular attacking focus he was at Arsenal, often playing from the left in a formidable front three alongside Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o, he remained a potent goal threat. His most successful campaign was the historic 2008-09 season, where he scored 26 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions, helping Barcelona secure an unprecedented treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League. This period saw Henry finally lift the European Cup, the major trophy that had narrowly eluded him during his time at Arsenal. Thierry Henry France Thierry Henry enjoyed a stellar international career with the French national team, spanning 13 years from his debut in October 1997 to his retirement from international football after the 2010 World Cup. During this time, he earned 123 caps for Les Bleus. He scored 51 goals for his country, a tally that made him France's all-time leading goalscorer for over 15 years until Olivier Giroud surpassed the record in December 2022. Henry was a key member of France's "golden generation," achieving significant success in major tournaments. He was part of the squad that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil, scoring three goals in the tournament. Two years later, he helped France win the UEFA European Championship in 2000, again contributing crucial goals, including three in the tournament finals. He also played a vital role in France's 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup victory, where he was awarded the Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Shoe (top scorer). Henry reached another World Cup final in 2006, where France finished as runners-up, with Henry being named to the tournament's All-Star Team. In total, he represented France in four World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010) and three European Championships (2000, 2004, 2008). His ability to perform and score consistently in high-pressure tournament situations (6 World Cup goals, 6 Euro goals, 4 Confederations Cup goals ), combined with his remarkable longevity (123 caps) and record-breaking goal tally, firmly establishes his legacy as one of France's greatest ever players. His five French Player of the Year awards further attest to his standing. Thierry Henry Stats According to Transfermarkt, Thierry Henry scored 360 goals in 794 senior club appearances. The retired forward scored 228 goals for Arsenal in 377 appearances, 28 goals for Monaco (141 matches), 52 goals for New York Red Bulls in 135 games, 49 goals for Barcelona in 121 appearances and three for Juventus in 20 games. The Frenchman netted 175 Premier League goals for Arsenal in 258 matches, 35 goals in 80 appearances, 20 in 105 Ligue 1 appearances, three goals in 16 Serie A matches and 51 MLS goals for New York Red Bulls in 122 matches — Henry's only other goal for the Red Bulls came in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Henry also scored 50 Champions League goals in 112 appearances for Monaco, Arsenal and Barcelona. Thierry Henry Coaching Career Thierry Henry transitioned to coaching after retiring from playing. He began with Arsenal's youth teams and then became an assistant coach for the Belgian national team. Henry’s first managerial role was at Monaco, followed by a stint at Montreal Impact. The Frenchman later returned to an assistant coach role for Belgium. In 2023, he took charge of the France U21 team and also managed the France Olympic team in 2024, leading them to a silver medal. Thierry Henry Honours Division 1: 1996–97 Premier League: 2001–02, 2003–04 FA Cup: 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004-05 FA Community Shield: 2002, 2004 UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2005–06 UEFA Cup runner-up: 1999–2000 La Liga: 2008–09, 2009–10 Copa del Rey: 2008–09 Supercopa de España: 2009 UEFA Champions League: 2008–09 UEFA Super Cup: 2009 FIFA Club World Cup: 2009 New York Red Bulls Supporters' Shield: 2013 MLS Eastern Conference: 2010, 2013 Toulon Tournament: 1997 FIFA World Cup: 1998; runner-up: 2006 UEFA European Championship: 2000 FIFA Confederations Cup: 2003 Ballon d'Or runner-up: 2003; third-place: 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year Silver Award: 2003, 2004 European Golden Shoe: 2003–04, 2004–05 Onze d'Or: 2003, 2006 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: Germany 2006 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: France 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: France 2003 UNFP Division 1 Young Player of the Year: 1996–97 PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2002–03, 2003–04 PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2002–03, 2003–04 PFA Team of the Year: 2000–01 Premier League, 2001–02 Premier League, 2002–03 Premier League, 2003–04 Premier League, 2004–05 Premier League, 2005–06 Premier League FWA Footballer of the Year: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06 Premier League Player of the Season: 2003–04, 2005–06 Premier League Golden Boot: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06 Most assists in the Premier League: 2002–03 Golden Boot Landmark Award 10: 2004–05 Golden Boot Landmark Award 20: 2004–05 Premier League Player of the Month: April 2000, September 2002, January 2004, April 2004 Arsenal Player of the Season: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 BBC Goal of the Season: 2002–03 UEFA Team of the Year: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 MLS Best XI: 2011, 2012, 2014 MLS Player of the Month: March 2012 Best MLS Player ESPY Award: 2013 MLS All-Star: 2011 2012 2013 2014 French Player of the Year: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer of the Year: 2003 FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2006 UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2000 FIFA 100: 2004 Time 100 Heroes & Pioneers no.16: 2007 English Football Hall of Fame: 2008 Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992–93 – 2001–02): Overseas Team of the Decade Premier League 20 Seasons Awards: Fantasy Team (Panel choice), Fantasy Team (Public choice) UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year (published 2015) UEFA Euro All-time XI (published 2016) Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Bronze): 2020 Premier League Hall of Fame: 2021Orders Knight of the Legion of Honour: 1998 France Olympic Summer Olympics silver medal: 2024 PAY ATTENTION: Check out Bet of the Day page - we provide expert tips As of April 2025: All-time top scorer: 228 goals Most league goals: 175 goals Most European goals: 42 Most Champions League goals: 35 Most Premier League goals in a season: 30 (2003–04) (shared with Robin van Persie) Most Premier League hat-tricks: 8 Most European appearances: 86 Most Champions League appearances: 78 Most Arsenal Player of the Season Awards: 4 Continental Most European Golden Shoe wins while playing in England: 2 (2003–04 2004–05) One of five players to win back-to-back European Golden Shoes (shared with Ally McCoist, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski) Most FWA Footballer of the Year wins: 3 (2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06) Most consecutive FWA Footballer of the Year wins: 2 (2002–03, 2003–04) (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo) Most consecutive PFA Players' Player of the Year wins: 2 (2002–03, 2003–04) (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin De Bruyne) Most PFA Players' Player of the Year wins: 2 (2002–03, 2003–04) (shared with Gareth Bale, Alan Shearer, Mark Hughes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah) Only French player to win the European Golden Shoe Most French Player of the Year wins: 5 (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) Most consecutive French Player of the Year wins: 4 (2003–2006) Most appearances at World Cup final tournaments for France: 4 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010) (shared with Hugo Lloris) Premier League Most assists in a season: 20 (2002–03) (shared with Kevin De Bruyne) Most goals with right foot in a 38-game season: 24 (2005–06) (shared with Alan Shearer) Most Player of the Season awards: 2 (2003–04, 2005–06) (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidić and Kevin De Bruyne) Most goals in London derbies: 43 Most Golden Boot wins: 4 Most goals on a Friday: 10 Most consecutive 20+ goal seasons: 5 (2001–02 to 2004–05) (shared with Sergio Agüero) Most goals scored under one manager: 175 goals under Arsène Wenger Most goals at a single ground: 114 goals at Highbury Most direct free-kick goals by a foreign player: 12 (shared with Gianfranco Zola and Cristiano Ronaldo) Most Golden Boots won in consecutive years: 3 (shared with Alan Shearer) Only player to both score and assist 20+ goals in a season (2002–03) Thierry Henry Parents Thierry Henry's parents, Antoine and Maryse Henry, hail from the French West Indies. His father is from Guadeloupe and his mother is from Martinique. Thierry Henry Wife Thierry Henry was married to English model Nicole Merry from 2003 to 2007; they have a daughter named Téa. Since 2008, he has been in a relationship with Andrea Rajacic, a Bosnian model, and they have three children. Thierry Henry Net Worth Based on multiple sources, Thierry Henry's net worth in 2025 is estimated to be around $130 million (£101.8 million). The former footballer’s wealth has been accumulated through a successful playing career, lucrative endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, Puma and Renault, and his post-retirement ventures in media as a pundit for Sky Sports and CBS Sports, as well as his move into coaching and management. During his playing career, Henry earned significant salaries, including a reported weekly wage of £112,000 during his last contract with Arsenal, an annual salary of €6.8 million at Barcelona and a base salary that started at $5 million with the New York Red Bulls. Even his managerial career has contributed, with a reported £8.4 million payout after his departure from Monaco. Currently, in 2025, it is estimated that Thierry Henry earns around £4 million ($5 million) per year from his various roles in football, including punditry and previous coaching of the French national youth teams. Thierry Henry Instagram Thierry Henry is on Instagram (@thierryhenry), where he posts intermittently. Henry has had a complex relationship with Instagram. Initially, in 2014, he expressed his disinterest in social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, stating he preferred more traditional ways of communication. While the Frenchman did eventually join Instagram, Henry deactivated his Instagram and Twitter accounts in March 2021 in protest against the platforms' failure to combat racist abuse effectively. He argued that these platforms prioritised copyright infringement more than the mental well-being of their users subjected to online hate. However, Henry returned in October 2024. As of April 2025, the Frenchman has 3.1 million followers on the photo and video-sharing platform.