Thierry Henry has candidly shared the challenges he faced in coping with retirement, acknowledging that a part of him “died” when he concluded his illustrious career. The former Arsenal star, who became one of the Premier League greats, retired in 2014 after a distinguished journey that included success with Arsenal and Barcelona, as well as winning the World Cup with France in 1998.
Since retiring, Henry has ventured into management and punditry, currently serving as France’s Under-21s head coach and contributing to CBS’ Champions League coverage. Despite these endeavours, Henry has opened up about the difficulties in transitioning from an athlete to live off the pitch, highlighting the mental and emotional toll it took on him.
“I left my house when I was 13, people don’t realise that. You’re already dealing with the pressure of succeeding. You prefer to be the athlete than the human being. Then the athlete is easier, you know what to do,” Henry told the Diary of a CEO podcast.
“Well, I knew what to do. Even if it was painful or whatever, I knew what to do. It’s easy for a little while when you have your career. I think you remember as an athlete and I say it and I maintain it…you die when you stop.”
“The athlete, the competitor, dies. I can never play again in the Prem, I can never play for France anymore. I don’t care what you say, I can’t play football, not at that level, not competing the way I used to compete.”
“That part of me died. People don’t teach you to die. So now, you are going to face all your problems. Because you could put them on the side when you’re playing games. Because you have other things that will cover that.
Reflecting on his career, Henry revealed that his struggles with mental health were not confined to post-retirement, and he pointed to the challenging quest for his father’s approval as a significant battle he faced during his playing days. The football legend’s candid revelations shed light on the personal and emotional aspects of a remarkable career that extended beyond the confines of the football pitch.
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