Thierry Henry a future Red Bull?

There aren't many more famous and more talented soccer players in the world than Thierry Henry, so when the French striker and Barcelona star says he loves America and New York is the best city in the world, you have to take notice.

In an interview with the New York Times, Henry spelled out his affection for the United States and stated that he would love to play here one day.

“I always say that one day I can play over there,” Henry told Times writer Jack Bell. “I would love to."

Henry's love of the U.S. and interest in playing here isn't a secret. I wrote last year that Henry had expressed serious interest in coming here and spoke to former France teammate Youri Djorkaeff at length about Djorkaeff's experience playing in MLS.

Now here's the question. How soon could Henry be playing in the United States? Considering his current age (30) and form (still excellent for Barcelona), it wouldn't be a stretch to think that Henry could arrive in MLS in 2009. Who better to help launch Red Bull Park in 2009 than Henry? Henry could also wait a year and be the marquee attraction for a second New York team.

Needless to say, Henry is exactly the kind of player MLS needs to bring in, from his on-field ability to his off-field marketability.

What do you think about the possibility of Henry coming to play in MLS? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[tmc]

Henry just signed a 4 year contract with Barcelona. So are you suggesting that MLS/RBNY/Future Big $ NY MLS team would be willing to pay a significant transfer fee for his services? He cost Barcelona approximately $30 million this summer.

I just can't see an MLS team being willing to put up the amount of money it would take to get Henry before his Barcelona contract runs out. Maybe if he is injury-plagued or suffers a loss of form the price would go down and Barcelona would be willing to move him along.

My guess is that the earliest we would see Henry in MLS is when the contract runs out. I'd love to see him, and his marketability is tremendous, but this seems far off into the future to me.

[Metrohooligan101]

im thinking Henry and Ronaldinho coming over to New York, Maybe have Ronaldinho in the second NY team while Henry plays for Red Bull, creating and instant derby, i think we're going to need a marquee franchise player to represent the second NY team but you can't leave Red Bull behind, we could have el clasico out in los angeles and "the derby" in Ny and Henry would be perfect for either Red bull or the second NY team, but we're going to have to get another player as well.

[Brad]

I would fly from Newport News, VA to La Guardia every week to Henry play. That would be incredible. And would push my allegiances from "Undecided" to "NY Red Bulls".

[Tony M]

If Red Bull structures a deal that includes Henry as a representative for their horrid concoction, then it would be worth the money to buy him out early.

Nonetheless, he's look better in the blue and black of the Earthquakes...

[A.S.]

Red Bulls should target Messi instead.

(/sarcasm)

Come on, Ives. Return to planet Earth, please. The chances of Herny coming to Red Bulls for 2009 are less than zero.

[Ives]

Who wants Herny? I'm talking about Henry.

All jokes aside, while the chance of him coming in 2009 are slim (definitely much better than "less than zero") I could definitely see him in 2010.

Yes, Henry did sign a four-year deal but with Messi and Bojan Krkic as young phenoms, I don't think it's far-fetched to believe that Barcelona will have moved on to a younger target forward option in two years time.

Will it cost the Red Bulls or NY2 a transfer? Possibly, but if Henry wants to be here at that time Barcelona isn't going to stand in his way.

[EssEff]

Herny's not really sure there is a Dog.

[Squard]

Do you know who else said this?
Beckham, Figo, George Weah.., the list goes on.

[Alex]

Would be worth it if only to see the "NY Loves Titi!" signs.

[kpugs]

It's fun to dream.

Barca are definitely going to unload strikers...at the moment it's Eidur and Ezquerro in the news but who the hell knows? They definitely don't have room 6 or 7 strikers.

[lakaix15]

Can we say Henry And Rohnaldinho 2009

as i look at it if mls adds another mls Dp

ok we keep angel as one Dp

Reyna will lose his Dp status

and then we have 2 more DP slots.... we can use them both for henry and rohnaldino

that makes three Dp spots and the best strike force ever to hit mls...

and then we add on some good south american/ european talent if the salery goes up to 3 - 4 million

wow what a great view that would be

[Lawrence]

It will probably happen, I expect the MLS to grow rapidly in the next 3 years, so as cool as it would be, I don't know how special it will be to have a 33 year old Henry. From what Angel says, and I don't know why he would lie, players are talking to him about it (MLS). I think it's cool because eventually its going to be a competition over who gets to come to America and be a DP star.

[Sandro]

Would love to see Henry in NY but it is a little bit far fetch right now. Wonder what Youri told him about the MLS, hmm???

Anyhow a player of his talent would surely increase the popularity of the sport in the US.

[Michael F.]

Getting Henry doesn't solve the real problem - defense.

[Nick]

Henry would be amazing to have in the league. As a Man Utd supporter, I absolutely despise Arsenal, but always liked Henry even when he was playing for them. I read a really good interview a few years back in Striker magazine that Henry did where he talked about his love for the US. He said he loved being able to do normal people things, like going to the movies, without being recognized everywhere he went.

[Nick]

@Lawrence

That is a really interesting point, who "gets" to come to the US to be a DP star. Say in 3 years there are 16 teams and 2 DP slots on each team. That allows for 32 well-paid MLS superstars. Let's hope by then there are American players worth having in those slots outside of Lando. So say there are 6 Americans and 26 foreigners. If coming to America became a really exciting prospect for 30 year olds towards the end of their career I can see an issue where guys were willing to get paid slightly less than they would, had the demand not been so great. So we would have a guy of similar skill willing to take $3 million instead of $4 million because there are other people out there that want to play in the league so bad that they would be willing to take a cut in salary just to play. Pure supply and demand. Cool to think about even though it's probably a day dream.

[jkr]

If Henry comes it will probably be as the marquee name for the 2nd NY team.

Henry would be fantastic here. His reps are already laying the groundwork (Gillette commercials).

[Jeff]

If you want the sport to be popular - DO NOT SOLVE A DEFENSIVE PROBLEM!!! Americans like to see high scores!

[lakaix15]

why are we talking about the second nyc team when there isnt even a owner or a place to build this stadium....

but still RBNY has the money and they will have 3 superstars on the team if you include reyna then 4 by 2009

[YankatOxford]

England lose to Russian 2-1 in an absolutely CRACKING game. England's chances of qualifying for EURO 2008 are in serious doubt.

[Brad]

How did England lose that game? You're up 1-0 and you go into a defensive shell way too early. That's how. Have a good one, McClaren.

[Jason]

henry still has a chance at making the 2010 world cup squad. he'll be almost 33 by then. if he's still in contention, i don't think he comes before the 2010 world cup.

[Upper 90...]

I THINK THAT YOURI WOULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLL IN COMING TO RBNY. YOURI HAS HIM ON SPEED DIAL ON HIS CELL !!! OHH YEA REDBULL PARK IS OPENING THE EARLIEST IN 2010.

[Sean]

No matter what NYRB would pay for Henry they would surely recoup that in jersey sales, sponsorships, and ticket sales. If he were to come to MLS I would definatly by a Henry MLS jersey.

[LAJames]

It would be awsome to see Henry play here; problem is, by the time he does, he will probably be on crutches. It would step up the level another notch in MLS, as long as it's within the next couple years. I really don't want to see guys coming here (superstar or not), that need to put on Depends before the game.

[Adam]

I think there will be a movement of big name players to the U.S. following the '10 World Cup. Dollars and location rule, and it flat makes sense for big stars to be in New York and LA rather than plying away for clubs in smaller European cities. I fully expect that Ronaldo will be here by 09, and that Henry, Ronaldinho, and other old-but-big names will follow after the '10.

[Paul Lorinczi]

Ives,

Sounds like something else is smoking besides your laptop. LOL!

If he comes, it would be after 2010 would be my guess.

[CRSvideo]

I actually am not too sure about wanting Henry. Sure, the Henry of today would be great, but I don't know how much he'll have left in his tank after a couple of years. His biggest asset is his speed, and that's the type of thing that once you reach the age when it starts to dip, you very quickly loose the ability to compete. Would we really want a Henry once his speed starts to go? I don't think he'll have say Bergkamp's ability to play at a high level at a (relatively) older age, but that once the drop in form due to age starts (because of the type of game Henry has) that it will be a pretty big drop.

[nico]

good luck with all this... ;)

[Hincha Tim]

The chances of signing any Euro stars is greatly diminished by the record weakness of the dollar. All those stars are paid in Euros and Pounds, which make them everyday much more expensive in terms of dollars. Better hope that the dollar returns.

[Joamiq]

I think Henry would still be pretty effective in 2009 or 2010, if he's healthy. He's not just fast. He's one of the most technically talented strikers in the world.

I don't see what's so farfetched about a guy who's 32 or 33 and loves the US coming to MLS. I still can hardly believe that Beckham is here.

[Mike S.]

"(Insert superstar name) intrigued by MLS"

[BMW_4_ever]

He won't be worth much at 34, imho.

I'd still love to see him in MLS, even at 35 or 36.

[Dave]

I am probably guessing more like 2010 probably after the world cup, much like Beckham. I think Shevchenko may be wearing an MLS kit in the near future though. NYRB would be a good choice considering the Brighton Beach Crowd.

[nico]

Figo interest in MLS
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/oct17h.html

[Nath]

By the way, he just broke Michel Platini record today....

Henry est le meilleur!!!

[Backhand]

Well, he is friends with Chad Johnson. If the Giants or Jets trade for Johnson, he could help recruit Henry to NYC.

:p

[Garret]

Is there any chance Donovan will go to San Jose as a DP spot?

[anon_e_moose]

Hincha Tim, that's why all theses big names will come to Toronto instead. haha. oil is good and bad at the same time.

On the subject of a second NY team. First, the Red Bulls attendance is mediocre. RSL has the same excuses, plus they are small market and their team sucks, and their attendance is still better, when you exclude the Beckham game. Second, LA can't even support a second team, what makes New Yorkers think they can.

Regarding Henry, he might be here after 2010, probably plays in New England, cuz that will be the best he can get.

Figo might be here next year. Ronaldinho will be here in 2015. Zidane will never be here. And Ronaldo(#9) will be a stunt double for Homer Simpson before he plays in the MLS.

hmm...thats a very good post, im quite amused. That is all.

[J]

I'm confused as to why everyone assumes that when Henry's speed goes, so does his quality. He is an incredibly technical and creative player. The only thing he doesn't do well is head the ball. That's about it. Remember, he began his career as a winger before transitioning to striker. His passing and vision is superb. His positioning and timing is also superb. He can definitely be a force in MLS into his 30's (if he's healthy). I think his coming to MLS will depend on whether he still dreams of playing for France at WC 2010. If he does, he probably won't come . . . but then again you never know.

[Rocco]

Henry has been my favorite player for many years now, so I would love to see him come over to the MLS so I would get to see him play more than just the one time last summer.

[manu]

There is an article on the L.A. times about Rolando is on a list of 10 players that Chivas USA is interested. I believe that Chivas needs someone more like Rafa Marques from Barcelona. May be a good fit in L.A. since he is getting no playing time there.

[bin]

ilove t.t

[Andre]

no no no henry should not go to red bulls unless they play him HELLA. although he likes the U.S. he'd be moving down in skill level if he joined and he'd never improve. look at beckam, he used to be such an awesome player and now he's crap. admit it people, soccer is not america's sport, and it wouldnt do henry any good if he came here. he's better off with either staying on barce or going back to arsenal.