There are some heavy hearts in the SportsJOE office this morning with the news that there’ll be no more footballing magic from the legend that is Thierry Henry.
We needed to make this list to deal with the announcement.
14. v SC Weiz (20-7-2005)
If this goal hadn’t come in a pre-season friendly, it would be a contender for top spot as it perfectly displays the touch, control and deft finishing skill of the Frenchman.
13. v Lens (29-4-1995)
The first Henry goal in Monaco’s 6-0 rout against Lens was a thing of beauty as he took the ball round the keeper, kept his cool like only Henry can before picking his spot and finishing with perfection.
12. v Togo (23-6-2006)
Henry went on to win French Footballer of the Year an amazing five times and this goal shows just why. It may look simple by Henry’s stellar standards but it goes to show the player’s ability to turn half-chances into goals.
11. v Chelsea (12-12-2004)
This free-kick sums up everything about Henry – innovation, cheekyness and sublime skill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWgsq0Ip5qM
10. vs Charlton (2-10-2004)
When a backheel as cheeky as this is only at number 10, you know you’re dealing with a serious player.
9. v Montreal Impact (8-5-2013)
When a lot of players make the move to a league like the MLS, it’s often to get a big pay day before retiring. Not Henry, he was still throwing out world class goals like this for New York Red Bulls just last year.
8. v Real Madrid (2-5-2009)
There’s no bigger game in world football than El Clasico but Barcelona’s Thierry Henry didn’t bow to the pressure as the Real Madrid goalkeeper was bounding down on him as he coolly passes the ball past him.
7. v Sparta Prague (18-10-2005)
This is a good, old-fashioned physics defying goal as the forward uses the outside of his right boot to create mindblowing amounts of bend on the ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4KPhqHyLl0
6. v Manchester United (28-3-2004)
Poor Roy Carroll stood no chance against this long range Henry peach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYygkqN9Kso
5. v Tottenham (16-11-2002)
The North London derby is when legends are made of players belonging to Spurs and Arsenal. Thierry Henry stood up and was counted with this glorious solo run and finish against the old enemy in 2002.
4. v West Ham (24-8-2002)
This sumptuous turn and half volley was something that any striker would love to do just once yet the famous number 14 made it commonplace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exqHht0fxcU
3. v Real Madrid (21-2-2006)
Henry was deceptively strong for someone who looked so skinny. He had wiry power that allowed him to shrug off Real Madrid defenders like they were flecks of dust on a gorgeous Henry scarf.
2. v Liverpool (9-4-2004)
At his scintillating best, it was pretty much impossible to steal the ball away from the Frenchman as Liverpool found out the hard way.
1. v Manchester United (30-9-2000)
No prizes for predicting the number one. This almost unbelievable flick and volley has graced football highlight reels since flying past a befuddled Barthez.
