THIERRY HENRY

Born on August 17, 1977, in Les Ulis, France, Thierry Henry began his professional soccer career for AS Monaco as a 17-year-old. After helping France win the 1998 World Cup, he became a four-time league scoring champion and twice finished runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year honors while starring for Arsenal FC. In a move that surprised soccer fans, Henry joined the New York Red Bulls in 2010.

Early Years

Professional athlete Thierry Daniel Henry was born on August 17, 1977, in Les Ulis, France. The son of a father from Guadalupe and a mother from Martinique, Henry bonded with the other immigrant children of his district through soccer games. His abilities were impressive enough to earn him a spot on CO Les Ulis’ youth club as a 7-year-old, and after stints with US Palaiseau and ES Viry-Châtillon, he joined the formidable French club AS Monaco FC in 1992.

International Soccer Star

Henry made his senior league debut for legendary coach Arsene Wagner in August 1994, but received limited playing time as he learned the nuances of the winger position. He was an established member of the team by his third season, however, helping Monaco claim the 1996-97 Ligue 1 championship. Just 20 years old when he made his international debut in 1997, Henry topped his countrymen with three goals as France emerged victorious at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

After a disappointing stint with Italy's Juventus in 1999, Henry transferred to England's Arsenal FC to reunite with Wagner. The visionary coach remade his pupil into a striker, and after helping France to the 2000 UEFA Euro championship, Henry emerged as an unstoppable force for Arsenal. From 2001-06, he won four Premier League Golden Boot Awards and twice finished runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year honors as Arsenal notched a pair of Premier League titles and three FA Cup victories.

Henry was superb during France's run to the 2006 World Cup finals but struggled with injuries during 2006-07 season, bringing an end to his Arsenal career after a club-record 226 goals. The Frenchman transferred to Spanish giant FC Barcelona, where he helped the club notch a whopping six titles in 2008-09. Barcelona repeated as league champions in 2010, but Henry was embroiled in controversy that season after committing a handball that set up France's winning goal in an important World Cup qualifying match. He retired from the national team after the 2010 World Cup, finishing his international career with 51 goals over 123 caps.

New York State of Mind

Henry surprised the sporting world by signing with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer in July 2010. Although the quality of the game was considered inferior in the United States, Henry insisted he was playing in a competitive league while enjoying a life of relative anonymity in the Big Apple. The veteran star made an instant impact on the Red Bulls by helping them get to the MLS Eastern Conference title in 2010.

- Be Inspired.