The World Cup in Qatar has delivered many things this winter but Thierry Henry will come out of the tournament with two of his French records in the hands of other players.

France's forward Antoine Griezmann (top) celebrates after forward #09 Olivier Giroud scored his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between England and France at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on December 10, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
France’s forward Antoine Griezmann (top) celebrates after forward #09 Olivier Giroud scored his team’s second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between England and France at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on December 10, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Olivier Giroud scored his 53rd goal for his country as France beat England 2-1 on Saturday evening.

He had already equalled Thierry Henry’s total of 51 with his second goal against Australia. Finding the net again against Poland, Giroud claimed the record for his own before he opened up a gap against England.

But Thierry Henry wasn’t only France’s leading all-time goalscorer before this World Cup kicked off, he was also their leading assist provider.

Alas, he no longer holds that record, either.

Antoine Griezmann went into the game just one behind Henry’s total of 27, but with two assists against the English, moved clear on 28.

Eto’o claims he and Anelka were better than Thierry Henry

Samuel Eto’o once again raised eyebrows with his comments about his former teammates, this time putting down Thierry Henry.

new england revolution v montreal impact
MONTREAL, QC: Then head coach of the Montreal Impact, Thierry Henry addresses the media after a victory against New England Revolution during the MLS game at Olympic Stadium on February 29, 2020. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Speaking in a new documentary (via GFFN), Samuel Eto’o was asked to give his opinion on Thierry Henry.

“I don’t think he was at [Nicolas] Anelka’s level,” Eto’o responded. “Thierry Henry was good but I preferred other players. In any case, [he wasn’t] at my level, no.”

Eto’o did at least compare Henry favourably to El Hadji Diouf, suggesting the two weren’t even on the same level.

“I’m not talking about [El Hadji] Diouf because he’s not even in the same category,” Eto’o added. “How can you put Diouf next to Thierry Henry?”

This isn’t the first time Eto’o has come out with questionable statements about his legendary teammates. Just last year, the striker responded to a comment referring to when he played with Lionel Messi by insisting that wasn’t the case.

“No. He played with me – it is different,” Eto’o said then. “Messi played with me. I did not play with Messi. In my time, Messi played with me. It is totally different. It is totally different.”

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal's Thierry Henry (C) is congratulated by team mates from left Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell and Rami Shaaban after scoring against Tottenham during a premier league match at Highbury Stadium in north London, 16 November 2002. AFP PHOTO/ODD ANDERSEN - - ONLINE INTERNET USE SUBJECT TO FAPL LICENSE - - (Photo credit should read Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal’s Thierry Henry (C) is congratulated by teammates from left Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, and Rami Shaaban after scoring against Tottenham during a premier league match at Highbury Stadium in north London, 16 November 2002. AFP PHOTO/ODD ANDERSEN. (Photo: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images)

To begin with, the comparison between Henry and Anelka is ridiculous. Anelka was certainly a talent, but he never even scored 20 league goals in a season, for any club, in any league, in his entire career.

By contrast, Henry scored 20 league goals five seasons in a row for Arsenal.

As for the other comparisons, I’d personally have both Henry and Messi ahead of Eto’o, though perhaps there is some logic to the striker’s comments there.

Eto’o was Barcelona’s star goalscorer during the period while all three were playing for the La Liga club. Messi was still a young player yet to hit his peak, and Henry was leaving his. You can see why he might get the impression he was a level above them.

Even so, you’d expect Eto’o to be able to look at their careers a little more holistically and show a bit more respect to two legends of the game.