Arsenal legend and television analyst Thierry Henry is one of the best in the business at breaking down the game after his incredible career, and though he usually works for the CBS broadcast covering the Champions League, he has been with FOX for the World Cup coverage. And while the former Barcelona star is revered for his analysis, Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo fans have often taken umbrage with his views of the Portuguese legend.
Ronaldo and Madrid fans have often accused Henry of not being fair to Ronaldo, never praising him to his degree, and making comments like saying that Ronaldo Nazario is the "real Ronaldo" or having too much of a bias towards his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.
Henry and FOX colleague Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another contemporary of Ronaldo's, almost seemed gleeful after a rough first game for Portugal against DR Congo, which only fueled the belief from Madridistas that Thierry Henry has an agenda against Cristiano Ronaldo.
Thierry Henry did the right thing
But after CR7's final World Cup game in the Round of 16 against Spain, Henry had a surprisingly heartwarming tribute to Ronaldo and acknowledged his goals, his legacy, and his impact on future generations as a legend and inspiration to many.
Henry said of Ronaldo on the FOX broadcast, via Madrid Xtra, “Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy is untouchable. A lot of great players didn't win the World Cup, it does not define their legacy. I wish him all the best, I hope he scores more than 1000 goals. He inspired a generation, kids, especially the way he breathes, lives and thinks about football. Look at his body, he’s an example to everyone. Big man, all the very best on what you wish to do.”
For maybe the first time when it comes to Cristiano, Real Madrid fans could not agree more with what Henry is saying about his former Manchester United and Real Madrid rival. Ronaldo's legacy is indeed untouchable and as the big man himself said, it is not at all sullied or diminished in the slightest by not going further in this year's tournament with the small country of Portugal - a country he had already led to an unprecedented European Championship glory 10 years ago and two Nations League titles to boot.
As much as Madridistas have been frustrated over the years by Henry's slant to Lionel Messi and Barcelona, he got this final take on Ronaldo at the World Cup spot on. Big ups to him for the honest analysis on an old rival.
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