Former French and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has revealed that he grappled with mental health challenges during his playing career, acknowledging that he “must have been in depression.”
The 46-year-old concluded his illustrious 20-year club career in 2014, playing for Monaco, Juventus, Barcelona, and the New York Red Bulls.
Henry, a two-time Premier League winner with Arsenal, also achieved success at Barcelona, winning La Liga titles and the Champions League.
As a World Cup champion with France, he transitioned into coaching, managing Arsenal’s youth teams, serving as Belgium’s assistant coach, and holding head coaching positions at Monaco and the Montreal Impact in the MLS.
Henry took on the role of head coach for the France under-21s in August.
“Throughout my career and since I was born, I must have been in depression,” Henry told The Diary of a CEO podcast.
“Did I know it? No. Did I do something about it? No. But I adapted in a certain way.”
Henry said it had been a difficult time for him during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was managing Montreal.
“I was in isolation in Montreal, and not being able to see my kids for a year was tough,” he added.
“Tears were coming alone. Why, I don’t know, but maybe they were there for a very long time.”