Thierry Henry is one of the best Premier League players of all time and has rightly gone down as an Arsenal legend following his iconic spell under Arsene Wenger.
Since retiring back in 2012, the France forward has been a pundit and a manager, working with broadcast giants Sky Sports and CBS Sports. He’s covered the Champions League alongside Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards for the American broadcaster, with the trio kept in check by Kate Scott.
Back in 2019, Henry appeared on Carragher’s ‘The Greatest Game’ podcast and was asked to name his all-time five-a-side team of outfield players.
The Arsenal hero decided to snub ex-Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo, instead choosing five ‘football legends’ from previous generations.
Jose Mourinho nearly signed one of Arsenal's best ever players for Barcelona
He’s gone down as a Gunners icon.
ByCharlie SmithJun 7, 2025 5 Franz Beckenbauer Germany
Starting at the back in Henry’s dream team is Franz Beckenbauer. A Bayern Munich legend who helped win three consecutive European Cups, the centre-back also lifted the World Cup with Germany in 1974.
A two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Beckenbauer is regarded as one of the best defenders the game has ever seen alongside Paolo Maldini.
4 Michael Laudrup Denmark
A name that might surprise many in Henry’s list is Denmark attacking midfielder Michael Laudrup, who played for Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid between 1985 and 1996.
Known best for his passing, technical skills and dribbling ability, Laudrup was called “underrated” by Henry, who labelled him a “monster”.
“I do not understand. If there is a player who is underrated, it’s him. Those who talk about football and who go deep recognise it to its true value, but almost nobody remembers when asked which number 10 has the most marked. Michael Laudrup was a monster.
“He was the best 10, and by 10 I mean the one who makes his team play. Too many players in history have had the number 10 and only think about scoring.
“Laudrup… my god. The passes he made. On the ground, he broke two lines, and it is as if the ball slowed when she saw the attacker.”
La Liga
1986
Serie A
1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
Eredivisie
1998
European Cup
1992
Copa del Rey
1990
UEFA Super Cup
1992
KNVB Cup
1998
Spanish Super Cup
1991, 1992
Intercontinental Cup
1985
FIFA Confederations Cup
1995
3 Johan Cruyff Netherlands
A player who arguably transformed the way the game is played today, both as a player and as a manager, was Johan Cruyff.
Starring for both Ajax and Barcelona both on the pitch and in the dugout, Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or awards during his career.
The forward could do it all, score goals, beat defenders with ease and provide assists, creating the famous Cruyff turn which is still used today.
2 Diego Maradona Argentina
Before Messi, Argentina had Diego Maradona as their national footballing icon, with the attacking midfielder leading his country to the 1974 World Cup.
Henry said Maradona inspired him as a youngster, comparing him to Messi in the process when asked by Carragher.
“Maradona is difficult. Why? Because he was in the first World Cup I experienced, so you’re always going to remember your first. It was ridiculous and he’s always going to inspire me more [than Messi] because I was a kid. But Leo is a joke.”
1 Pele Brazil
Finishing off Henry’s side is Brazilian forward Pele, who holds the Guinness World Record for most goals with 1,279 in 1,363 matches.
Bursting onto the scene with hat-tricks in the World Cup as a teenager, Pele lifted the famous trophy on three occasions with Brazil and always stepped up on the biggest stage. Following his passing at the end of 2022, Henry hailed Pele, saying:
“As long as there is football, as long as there is a World Cup, we will always talk about Pele. He is an inspiration for all generations, no matter what, until the end of time. Everyone was Brazilian on that day. Pele means a lot to football.”