Developing youngsters the right way vital: Thierry Henry

Former France and Arsenal star Thierry Henry at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

As the Indian Super League was becoming a reality, Thierry Henry’s name did the rounds as one of the marquee players for the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League. He couldn’t ply his trade in the ISL but former Arsenal team-mates Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg were marquee players for FC Goa and Mumbai City FC respectively in 2014.

French football legend Henry, on his maiden visit to India, finally made an appearance in the ISL on Tuesday at the Atletico de Kolkata versus Mumbai City FC game in Kolkata.

“I saw the ISL match, the game needed a goal, which came late, but other than that it was a good atmosphere. It was a good game of football. I also saw some of the old guys that I used to play against, like Diego Forlan (in Manchester United), who scored the winner for Mumbai. It helps massively when you have such people in the league,” said Henry during a promotional event for Puma here on Wednesday.

Henry was the top draw as Arsenal fans thronged the NSCI Club here to get a glimpse of the star. He also gave tips to kids from Arsenal Soccer School and ISL Young Champs.

“It’s important to bring in international players and coaches, as it helps youngsters learn alongside them. But the future of the league and the sport in India will only be through grassroots development of football. Raising awareness is important at the beginning to make sure people talk about the league, but what will make it successful is the youngsters coming through,” he said. The 39-year-old Arsenal legend said U-17 World Cup next year would help to develop football in India. “I know some of the stadiums are not available because you’ll are going to host the U-17 World Cup. Which is amazing for you guys. It’s going to create a good buzz for the youngsters,” he said.

Henry, who holds the French record of 51 goals in 123 internationals, and was part of the World Cup-winning team in 1998, is now the second assistant coach in the Belgium national team. He said, “When the chips are down, that’s the time when you learn a lot about yourself. If you don’t do things someone else will. You have to go that extra yard to make it happen,” he said. Henry picked his one-time Barcelona team mate Lionel Messi as one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or,” along with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Henry who was a key player of Arsenal’s Invincibles and regained the Premier League title in 2003-04, said it wasn’t easy to be Arsenal manager. “I am just second assistant to the Belgium team. It isn’t that easy to be Arsenal manager. Arsene Wenger is still in the job and he has done some hard work though there are many young managers available,” he said.