Thierry Henry’s Hardman Choice: A Barcelona Legend Over Arsenal Icons
Arsenal icon Thierry Henry surprised many football fans when he revealed the toughest player he ever lined up alongside. In a move that overlooked several Barcelona legends and even a fellow Arsenal hardman, Henry picked an unexpected teammate from his time in Spain as his ultimate “hardman.”
Before his move to Barcelona, Henry cemented his legendary status at Arsenal. His Premier League goalscoring record speaks for itself – 175 goals in 258 games – placing him among the Premier League’s elite strikers. His phenomenal goal-per-game ratio of 0.68 is unmatched by any of the top 30 scorers in the league’s history, and he was instrumental in Arsenal’s three Premier League title wins during their dominant era from 1998 to 2004.
That Arsenal team, managed by Arsene Wenger, was renowned for a robust and physically imposing style of play, a stark contrast to the more possession-based tactics seen in modern football today. Wenger often found himself defending against accusations of his team being overly aggressive, or even “dirty,” but their success was undeniable, built upon a foundation of a formidable defense and midfield.
The backbone of that Arsenal side was undoubtedly their central midfield, anchored by Patrick Vieira. Signed by Wenger in 1996, Vieira spent nine seasons in North London, becoming synonymous with tough tackling and fierce competitiveness. His legendary midfield battles against Manchester United’s Roy Keane are etched into Premier League folklore. Vieira’s aggressive style is reflected in his 82 yellow cards collected during his Arsenal career, a high number surpassed by only a handful of players in Premier League history, further solidifying his hardman reputation at Arsenal.
Many would expect Vieira, given his Arsenal legacy and reputation, to be Henry’s pick for the toughest teammate. However, after Henry’s transfer to Barcelona in 2007, he played alongside a different type of “hardman” who impressed him even more.
When asked to name the biggest hardman he played with, Henry surprisingly didn’t choose a Barcelona stalwart like Carles Puyol or Rafael Marquez. Instead, he bestowed the accolade upon his French national team teammate, Lilian Thuram.
Thuram, a distinguished defender with an impressive 142 caps for France (between 1994 and 2008), enjoyed a successful club career at Monaco, Parma, and Juventus before joining Barcelona. He briefly reunited with Henry at Camp Nou, during Henry’s two-year spell from 2007 to 2009, after Thuram had arrived a year prior in 2006.
Henry and Thuram won the World Cup together in 1998 (Twitter)
Lilian Thuram: Barcelona’s Unsung Hardman, According to Henry
Speaking on Soccer AM about his former teammates, Henry stated unequivocally that Thuram was Barcelona’s biggest hardman. “That’s his game really. He’s a defender through and through, and that’s what he does,” Henry explained, highlighting Thuram’s dedication to the art of defending and his uncompromising style.
Interestingly, Henry also revealed another side to Thuram, humorously labeling him as the “biggest moaner” in the Barcelona dressing room. “It’s good, it’s good for the spirit and everything, but he is the biggest moaner for sure,” Henry joked, adding a light-hearted touch to his description of the formidable defender. This duality perhaps offers a glimpse into Thuram’s personality – a fierce competitor on the pitch, but also a character capable of injecting levity into the team environment.
While Henry’s choice of Thuram might surprise some, given the presence of other renowned players at Barcelona during his time, such as Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez and Yaya Toure, it underscores Thuram’s respected status and Henry’s personal experience playing alongside him. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Sylvinho, another former Arsenal player, was also part of that Barcelona squad, showcasing a blend of Arsenal and Barcelona talent in the dressing room.
Sylvinho, who holds the distinction of being the first Brazilian to sign for Arsenal in 1999, spent two successful seasons with the Gunners, even earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year in his final season before moving to Celta Vigo, further demonstrating the Arsenal connections within Henry’s football journey.
Henry’s selection of Lilian Thuram as his toughest teammate at Barcelona highlights that “hardman” isn’t always about aggressive tackles and yellow cards, but also about unwavering defensive commitment and a strong presence on the pitch – qualities that Thuram embodied throughout his illustrious career.
Who do you think is the biggest “hardman” in football history? Share your thoughts in the comments below!