Few strikers in football history can be mentioned in the same breath as Didier Drogba and Thierry Henry.
The two legends, who dominated European football in their prime, enjoyed remarkable careers filled with trophies, records, and unforgettable moments.
Now, years after their retirements, Drogba has once again heaped praise on Henry, insisting that the former Arsenal forward was deserving of a Ballon d’Or.
In a 2024 interview with B/R Football, Drogba was asked which player he believed should have won the prestigious award but never did. Without hesitation, the Chelsea icon named Henry.
“Thierry Henry deserved it 10 times,” Drogba said. “He was fantastic in the Premier League and with the national team. In the Champions League, he was exceptional, scoring goals and winning games on his own. We’re talking about Thierry Henry. I don’t know if there’s anything more to say.”
Henry’s legacy in football is well documented. After beginning his career at Monaco and having a brief spell at Juventus, the French forward truly found his form at Arsenal under Arsène Wenger.
Originally a winger, Henry was transformed into a striker, a move that turned him into one of the most feared goal-scorers in world football.
During his time at Arsenal, Henry scored 228 goals in 377 appearances, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer. He won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, while also leading Arsenal to the 2006 Champions League final.
Even after moving to Barcelona in 2007, Henry continued his success, winning seven major honors, including the Champions League in 2009.
Despite his numerous accolades, Henry never won the Ballon d’Or, an omission that many football fans and pundits consider unjust.
His best chance came in 2003 when he finished runner-up to Juventus star Pavel Nedvěd. However, his consistent brilliance, goal-scoring exploits, and impact on the game have ensured his place among football’s greatest players.
Drogba, who himself enjoyed a legendary career at Chelsea, has never hidden his admiration for Henry. In 2015, while receiving the Football Writers’ Association Tribute Award, Drogba spoke about how Henry had inspired him as a player.
“He was the kind of player I always wanted to look like by scoring all the goals and winning all the trophies with Arsenal, Barcelona, and France,” Drogba said. “He was an example and an inspiration to me, so to have my name next to his means a lot to me.”
Drogba, a key figure in Chelsea’s golden era, won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and most famously, the 2012 Champions League, where he played a decisive role in the final. Known for his ability to shine on the biggest stages, Drogba’s respect for Henry highlights just how special the French forward was.
While the Ballon d’Or never found its way to Henry, his influence on football is undeniable. When a legend like Drogba speaks so highly of him, it only reinforces the belief that Henry was one of the greatest to ever play the game.
