Thierry Henry, the iconic Arsenal legend, has bravely revealed his struggles with depression throughout his career.

Speaking candidly on ‘The Diary of a CEO‘ podcast, Henry, now the French U21 coach, shared his experiences, shedding light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges in professional sports.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has opened up about his long-term struggle with depression, a revelation that he shared on the English podcast ‘The Diary of a CEO’.

Henry, who is currently the French U21 coach, admitted that depression was a constant presence throughout his illustrious career, even though he wasn’t aware of it at the time.

In the podcast, Henry, the 1998 world champion, disclosed, “During my entire career I must have been depressed. I didn’t know and I didn’t do anything about it. I have adapted.

“In life, you have to put one foot in front of the other, and then walk. You have to move on. I was told that as a child. And I never stopped walking.”

This honest admission sheds light on the mental health challenges that even high-profile athletes like Henry face.

The Arsenal all-time top scorer, who retired from playing football in 2014, linked his mental health struggles to his upbringing. He revealed that he constantly sought approval from his father during his childhood, which created a deep-seated need for validation.

“I was often told that I had not done well. That stuck. As a teenager, I once scored all six goals in a 6-0 win, but my father was not happy afterwards. He started talking about a missed check and a missed cross. His attitude helped me as an athlete to a certain extent, but not as a person,” Henry explained.

The turning point for Henry came during his tenure as the coach of Montréal Impact in Canada from 2019 to 2021, particularly during the pandemic. He confessed, “Suddenly I was crying almost every day. I don’t know why, maybe they had been there for a long time. It was my younger self, asking for approval but not getting it.”

This period of isolation and reflection led Henry to confront his mental health issues.

In early 2021, Henry left his role as manager of Montreal, citing the need to be closer to his family in London as the primary reason for his departure. On Twitter, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity but emphasised the difficulty of being away from his children for an entire year.

Henry’s candid revelation about his mental health struggles is a powerful reminder of the pressures faced by athletes, regardless of their status and success.

It underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues and highlights the need for a supportive environment in professional sports.

Henry’s journey through depression and his decision to speak openly about it is not only courageous but also serves as an inspiration for many who may be facing similar challenges.