Thierry Henry rejects controversy as measure of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career

Thierry Henry has defended Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in football history, saying the recent controversy surrounding the Portugal captain’s departure from the national team camp in Denmark should have no bearing on his exceptional career.

Speaking on the French radio station RMC’s Rothen s’enflamme programme, the former France international and Arsenal forward played down the dispute over Ronaldo’s unexpected departure.

“They have to solve their problems themselves; we have our own problems in France,” Henry said, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

Henry strongly rejected any suggestion that the incident should influence the way Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is judged.

“Do we judge an entire career on the basis of this?” he asked, before answering: “Impossible. When I think of Ronaldo, I will never think of this, ever in my life.”

The former France star said any criticism he had directed at Ronaldo in the past had related only to particular matches or moments, rather than the player’s career as a whole.

“If it were about my mother or father, it would be the same,” he said.

Henry praises Ronaldo’s lasting influence

Henry said there was little left to debate about Ronaldo’s status as a football legend and highlighted the Portuguese forward’s importance to the sport.

“If we are talking about the legend, there is nothing to say. What he represents for football is extraordinary,” he said.

“We have all praised his effort at the World Cup, and his next appearance was supposed to be his last. If it ends this way…”

Henry added that he was assessing Ronaldo strictly from a sporting perspective, with the player’s approach to football and continued ambition standing out most to him.

“What I like to emphasise in Ronaldo’s case is his personality, the way he approaches football, his obsession with the game and the records, and his desire to be the best,” Henry said.

He also praised Ronaldo’s physical condition, saying his body had become stronger than it was at the beginning of his career.

“That is extraordinary. Without this obsession, we would not have known this player. We have experienced extraordinary moments with him,” Henry added.

Henry concluded by reiterating his respect for the leading figures in world football.

“I have enormous respect for Ronaldo, just as I do for Messi and for all the players who have maintained their place at the top,” he said.