Renowned former football forward Thierry Henry has candidly shared his realization that he may have experienced periods of depression throughout his illustrious career. The 46-year-old, a World Cup winner with France and Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer, opened up about a challenging time during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, where he found himself “crying almost every day.”
In a recent interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Henry attributed these emotions to his past and a perpetual quest for approval, shaped by his upbringing with a father who was often critical of his performances. Henry admitted, “Throughout my career, and since I was born, I must have been in depression. Did I know it? No. Did I do something about it? No. But I adapted to a certain way.”
He acknowledged that the pandemic-induced isolation forced him to confront these feelings, stating, “I never stopped walking, then maybe I would have realized. [But during] Covid, I stopped walking. I couldn’t. Then you start to realize.”
Henry disclosed that during his playing career, he had a metaphorical “cape” to navigate challenges, but after retiring in 2014, he sought ways to continue wearing it. Despite stints in coaching, including roles with Belgium and Monaco, he faced emotional difficulties during the pandemic, especially due to the year-long separation from his children.
Revealing his emotional struggles, Henry shared, “Then Covid happened. I was in isolation in Montreal, and not being able to see my kids for a year was tough.” He described a period where he found himself “crying almost every day for no reason,” suggesting that these emotions may have been suppressed for a long time, tied to a deep-seated need for approval.
Henry delved into his upbringing, emphasizing his father’s critical approach to his performances as a player. Despite the impact on his athletic development, he acknowledged it didn’t contribute positively to his personal growth. Recounting a specific incident in his teenage years, where he scored all the goals in a 6-0 win, Henry’s father focused on the negatives, stating, “As a little boy, it was always ‘You didn’t do that well.'”
Now serving as the manager for France Under-21s, Henry disclosed a transformative moment that made him “feel human” after a period of isolation in Montreal. Reflecting on an emotional goodbye with his children, he realized that they saw him beyond the football accolades, allowing him to embrace his humanity.
Henry concluded, “They love Thierry, not Thierry Henry. I stayed, for the first time I felt human…and it felt nice.” His openness sheds light on the emotional challenges that even sports icons face, contributing to the ongoing conversation surrounding mental health in the sports world.
