However, as a gooner who’s followed the club and Henry’s career for years now, I also know that in England off the pitch players from other clubs universally called him one of the nicest guys in the game. He would nearly always share a joke with opposition players after a game and he was always approachable to fans. If, for example, John Terry came into a restaurant and saw Jens Lehmann sitting at a table, he couldn’t go over to greet Jens because Jens simply would not allow him to, Jens is very cold and unfriendly to rivals. However, Terry could always go over to Henry and they could share a drink or a meal together easily. There’s a famous quote frequently cited in the English press that Henry was known as “the nicest guy in football” off the pitch.

Yes, he’s a big melonhead on the pitch and probably in the dressing room, but he could also be quite supportive of young players, as Adebayor can attest. Henry communicates to him all the time and encourages him in his game.