USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - French striker Thierry Henry ends his international career and joins the New York Red Bulls

Record ID: 731626

  • Title: USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - French striker Thierry Henry ends his international career and joins the New York Red Bulls
  • Date: 16th July 2010
  • Summary: HARRISON, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES (JULY 15, 2010) (REUTERS) THIERRY HENRY WALKING HENRY RECEIVING RED BULLS SCARF HENRY SHAKING HANDS WITH HEAD OF RED BULL GLOBAL SOCCER DIETMAR BEIERSDORFER HENRY WITH RED BULLS SHIRT VARIOUS OF SIGNS READING "BIENVENUE THIERRY HENRY" HENRY TALKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRENCH FORWARD THIERRY HENRY, RED BULLS, SAYING: "F
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: People,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8C94SDI5HQXJ5F67CMCG2RX32
  • Story Text: France striker Thierry Henry announced his retirement from international soccer Thursday (July 15), bringing an end to a dazzling career that saw him win almost every major trophy and honor in the game.
    A World Cup and European championship winner, Henry confirmed his expected retirement from international duty after deciding to quit European club soccer for a fresh start in the United States with Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.
    The 32-year-old made 123 appearances for Les Bleus, scoring a record 51 goals. His final match was as a substitute at the World Cup in South Africa last month.
    Henry said France's dismal performance at the World Cup had nothing to do with his decision.
    "First of all, South Africa did not play any part of it. I could have announced it before the World Cup. I just didn't want to put that type of could on the top of the team. My decision was taken right before the World Cup. So that's it. Nothing triggered it. I think it was time for me to stop after the World Cup, so that's what I'm gonna do," Henry told a news conference at the Red Bulls' complex in Harrison, New Jersey, located a few miles from New York City.
    Although his career ended in anti-climax with the French team bundled out of last month's World Cup amid rumors of disharmony between the players and team officials, Henry will be remembered as one of France's most accomplished strikers who enjoyed success at both club and international level.
    As for the World Cup, Henry said he did not know why the team played so badly.
    "I don't know what went wrong. On a personal point of view, I always got to respect the decision of the coach. His decision wasn't to play me, so I have to accept that and respect it. A lot of stuff was invented, unfortunately. I just would like to stick to the pitch problem that we had. I think we didn't play well. Probably the only thing we should be talking about right now. We didn't perform, as simple as that," he said.
    Henry stressed his commitment to the New York Red Bulls.
    "I don't want people to think that I came here because I only love the town. I really came here to play football. I'm 100 percent committed to the cause. I will be here everyday, every training session, playing and trying to do my best for the team," he said.
    Henry is following in the footsteps of England's David Beckham who left Europe to join the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. Henry said his move to New York should not spark a U.S. rivalry.
    "We're not here to compete. We're here to make football progress, that is the most important thing and I invite everybody who wants to come to this league to come. I know that will always happen. I respect Becks and we talk quite often to each other, but I don't think people should see it as a rivalry thing. They should see it more as a good thing for the game here," he said.
    Henry's first game with the Red Bulls, wearing his "14" jersey, is scheduled for July 22 against English Premiership club, Tottenham Hotspur at the Red Bull Arena.
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