Jack Harrison went for Ronaldinho… who will it be for Khiry Shelton?
In the second episode of our new NYCFC.com series, we find out who inspired the NYCFC winger.
A World Cup winner and European champions, as well as Arsenal and France’s record goalscorer, it’s none other than Monsieur Thierry Henry…
Khiry on Henry
“He was a winger and I remember when he made the big move to Arsenal, Arsene Wenger saw him as a forward. I went the other way as I used to be a striker! I’ve watched his documentary a couple of times and I actually got to meet in person but to watch him, wow –. I watched him a lot growing up and I do think my style of play is very similar – it’s very direct and he had pace and was crafty.
“That’s something I’m learning to build and include in my game. Whether it’s physique or whatever, people have said that there are similarities and he was definitely my big player growing up.”
Thierry Henry: Top Gunner
As Khiry alludes to above, Thierry was a winger when he came through the youth ranks at Monaco, becoming a World Champion in 1998 at the tender age of 21.
He moved to Serie A giants Juventus a year later and failed to make a big impression but it was his transfer to Arsenal in 1999 which truly launched his star.
Reunited with his great mentor, Arsene Wenger, Thierry went on to break Arsenal’s long-standing goalscoring record with 228 in all competitions over eight years.
One of the best players the Premier League has ever seen, Henry went to FC Barcelona in 2007 where he went on to win the UEFA Champions League and two La Liga titles, as well as the FIFA World Club Cup.
He rounded off his playing days at Red Bulls where he netted 51 goals in 122 appearances before retiring in 2014.
Status Update
A regular expert pundit on UK broadcaster Sky Sports’ coverage of the Premier League, Thierry is also Assistant Manager for the Belgian National Team under former Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
Showreel
Clubs
Monaco 1992-1999
Juventus 1999
Arsenal 1999-2007 & 2012
Barcelona 2007-2010
Red Bulls 2010-2014
Honors
Monaco
Ligue 1 1997
Arsenal
Premier League 2002 & 2004
FA Cup 2002 & 2003
Barcelona
UEFA Champions League 2009
UEFA Super Cup 2009
FIFA World Club Cup 2009
La Liga 2009 & 2010
Copa del Rey 2009
France
FIFA World Cup 1998
UEFA European Championships 2000
FIFA Confederations Cup 2003
