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Thierry Henry gave surprise answer when choosing the two toughest opponents he ever faced

Home> Football

Published 10:48 11 Feb 2025 GMT

Thierry Henry gave surprise answer when choosing the two toughest opponents he ever faced

Henry's answer may surprise many fans.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

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Featured Image Credit: CBS Sports

Topics: Thierry Henry, Football, Arsenal, Ligue 1, Barcelona, Champions League

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry gave a surprise answer when asked to name the toughest opponents he ever faced.

Henry is one of football's greatest ever forwards, having scored over 350 goals during his career.

The Frenchman played a leading role in helping Arsenal to win three Premier League titles, and won the division's Golden Boot award on four separate occasions.

Henry finally landed his first Champions League title in 2009 after signing for Barcelona, before ending his career at MLS side New York Red Bulls.

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He now works as a pundit for CBS Sports, forming a popular partnership on Champions League nights with Kate Scott, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, among other outlets.

Thierry Henry pictured with Kate Scott, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards (Image: Getty)
Thierry Henry pictured with Kate Scott, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards (Image: Getty)

Henry was once asked by CBS Sports to name the toughest opponent he ever came up against - and, while he named two players, one of his answers might surprise you.

He said: "Toughest as in direct opponent? Or just a guy you hated to play against? Paul Scholes [I hated to play against].

"For direct opponent, I would go back in the days and say Taribo West.

"Because [at Auxerre], they did man-marking. He followed you everywhere. Even in the dressing room."

West may be familiar to a certain generation of fans as being an icon of the Championship Manager game series, as he was available on a free transfer at the beginning of the 2001/02 game with incredible attributes.

The Nigeria left-back had a stellar playing career, making 44 appearances for Inter Milan between 1997 and 1999 before having a short stint at their San Siro rivals AC Milan.

He then had an 18-game loan spell at Derby County between 2000 and 2001, helping the Rams to stay in the Premier League.

Taribo West in action for Nigeria against 1998 (Image: Getty)
Taribo West in action for Nigeria against 1998 (Image: Getty)

But prior to that, he made his name at Ligue 1 side Auxerre, meaning he regularly came up against Henry when the forward was at Monaco.

Following his retirement, West became a Pentecostal pastor and founded a church, titled 'Shelter in the Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nation', in his home country in 2014.

He said: "I used my church while I was in Milan to help the homeless and Nigerian women brought to Italy to become prostitutes.

"We gave them a place to stay, and from there we found them jobs and also helped them get their documents."

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