"He deserved it like 10 times" - Didier Drogba names Arsenal legend as the one player who deserved to win a Ballon d'Or in his career
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has claimed that former Arsenal and France forward Thierry Henry deserved a Ballon d'Or in his career. The Ivorian made the claim in a video posted by BR/Football, calling Henry a 'fantastic' player.
The legendary Frenchman played for top European sides like Monaco, Juventus, Barcelona, and, most notably, Arsenal in a glittering 20-year career. One of the most prolific forwards of all time, he racked up a whopping 360 goals and 173 assists in 794 games at club level.
With Arsenal, he won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two FA Community Shield titles, and a staggering four EPL Golden Boot titles. At Camp Nou, he won a Champions League (2008-09), a Copa del Rey, a FIFA Club World Cup, a Supercopa de Espana, and a UEFA Super Cup.
With his national side, he experienced greater success. One of nine players to have made more than 100 appearances for Les Bleus, he is their second-highest scorer of all time (51 goals in 123 appearances).
Henry helped France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 European Championships. Even with such a stellar resume, his only podium finishes in the Ballon d'Or standings were in 2003 and 2006, when he finished second and third respectively.
When asked which player who never won the coveted title deserved to lift it, Drogba made his opinion on the matter very clear. He said (via afcstuff on X):
"Thierry Henry. He deserved it like ten times, because I think he was fantastic in the Premier League, but also for the national team. In the Champions League, he was exceptional, scoring goals, winning games on his own and for his team. I mean, we're talking about Thierry Henry. I don't know if there is anything more to say."
"Henry had so much more" - Pundit settles debate between Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland
Former Rangers forward Ally McCoist settled the debate between Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland. The 62-year-old called the former a more complete player, claiming that he had every trait that anyone looks for in a world-class striker.
Haaland has spent just two full seasons in the Premier League but is already breaking records left, right, and center. He has bagged 104 goals and 14 assists in 111 appearances for City, leading to fans and media alike drawing comparisons between him and Henry.
When faced with the question on talkSPORT, McCoist quickly shut down any debates, calling the former Arsenal man the better player in every aspect. He said (via Manchester City News):
"Prime Henry. And I've said that without even thinking about it. I love Haaland, as you know, in terms of putting the ball in the back of the net at this moment in time there’s absolutely nobody better. But Henry had everything. Everything, you name it, he had it. He had vision, he could finish [with] either foot, head, blistering pace, he had an awareness of the game."
"Henry could play in a number of positions. I know where his best position is but he was such a talented and excellent player he could have played in two or three positions for you," McCoist added.
With an impressive goalscoring resume at the age of 24, Haaland will likely reach and surpass Henry's records if he manages to stay injury-free.