Thierry Henry’s retirement announcement on Tuesday has seen the internet explode with plaudits from the footballing universe. And, sure, missile-like goals are all very well, but Henry’s style elegance was also a welcome addition to the premier league from the moment he signed as an unrated winger to Arsenal in 1999. Here are three style moments that brought Titi’s trademark va-va-voom.
Socks over the knees
Every good footballer has a style shtick that makes the Sunday league style transform. Cantona had the collar and Beckham had the hairband. Henry’s contribution was socks pulled up over his knees. Cue thousands of under-10s sides across the country valiantly trying the same.
World Cup cardigan
Henry is about to join Sky Sports as a pundit and his presence on the sofa will significantly up the style quota. Football and TV is usually a world of big-collar shirts, big hair and shiny trousers. Henry’s contribution to the World Cup commentary this summer involved a cardigan and showed his promise. Sounds innocuous but it was a gamechanger. Who knew the humble cardigan had so much potential?
Shaved head
Fellaini’s afro and Giroud’s quiff are current tonsorial favourites but it’s sometimes the simplest of hair styles that nail the moment. Henry’s shaved head was the footballing standard of the late 90s and early noughties, a none-too-shabby achievement when he was in the same squad as red-haired Freddie Ljungberg. That’s what happens when, along with a razor-like shot, you also have the bone structure of a model. See the Renault Clio advert for further examples of va va voom.
