France manager Didier Deschamps has branded Thierry Henry as an enemy as he prepares his team to face Belgium in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Henry is one of the biggest legends to ever come out of France, winning the World Cup on home soil in 1998 before following it up two years later with victory in the European Championships.
They were just two highlights of an illustrious and trophy laden career, winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two La Liga’s, one Copa del Rey and one Champions League title to name just a few.
However the former Arsenal and Barcelona ace has now taken the first steps in his managerial career, assisting former Everton boss Roberto Martinez in charge of the Belgian national team since 2016.
The Frenchman now has the prospect of preparing Belgium to beat his home country in tonight’s World Cup semi-final in St Petersburg, leaving current France boss Didier Deschamps to call Henry an ‘enemy’:
“When you go to a club abroad and play against one from your own country, you are part of the enemy,” the France manager told the press.
“This time, in an international match, it is much higher. He is facing his home nation. From the time he became an assistant to Roberto Martinez [Belgium manager], he did know that can happen. It is a difficult situation – bizarre – it is not easy for him.”
Current France and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has also said that he hopes to prove to Henry that he ‘chose the wrong camp’ by agreeing to work with the Belgians, although also admitted that he wants Henry to be the France manager one day.
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