Thierry Henry is an Arsenal legend and remains a supporter of the club, but he still couldn't resist praising Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after their win
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Updated 09:54, 08 May 2025
Thierry Henry speaking on TV
Thierry Henry heaped praise on Nasser Al-Khelaifi(Image: CBS Sports)
Thierry Henry launched into a monologue bursting with praise while speaking to Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. PSG reached the Champions League final with a 3-1 victory on aggregate over Arsenal on Wednesday night and Henry felt compelled to compliment the man behind the French club’s rise.
Arsenal arrived in Paris with a 1-0 deficit to overturn from the first leg in London but found Gianluigi Donnarumma in inspired form. The PSG goalkeeper made stunning saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka and their luck didn’t turn.
Fabian Ruiz increased the home side’s lead when he blasted in from the edge of the box, and although David Raya saved Vitinha’s penalty, Achraf Hakimi made it 3-0 on aggregate with a low finish in the second half. Saka got a goal back, but it didn’t conjure an unlikely Arsenal comeback as PSG went through to face Inter Milan in the final on May 31.
Al-Khelaifi has been the figurehead of PSG since Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011 and pumped the club full of money. He appeared on CBS Sports on Wednesday night, where former Arsenal striker Henry surprisingly showered him with praise.
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Asked if he had a question for Al-Khelaifi, Henry replied: "I don’t have a question, I actually want to give you your respect. Being French, I know the pressure that you came under, and you know this town is not a nice one when things aren't going well, and I have to say that you always conducted yourself really well, you listened to what was missing.
"We talked about it, and that the team at the time had to go young. When you went to get Luis Enrique, I said to you, 'You got a proper coach, he doesn't mess around, you will see,' but I wanted to say, thank you, because you changed the way people see Paris Saint-Germain.
“When I was growing up, it wasn't the case, you changed everything, the community, people can go and watch the games, which wasn't always the case, so hopefully you can make the next step and bring another star.
Paris Saint Germain's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi
Nasser al-Khelaifi revelled in PSG's win over Arsenal
"I know it's my team you knocked out, but I want Paris Saint-Germain to win it because it will seal what you've done and the way you've done it, and you put Paris back on the map, so well done and thank you.”
Al-Khelaifi replied: “Thank you very much, coach. It means a lot to us, especially from a legend like you. Today, it’s really important, we fight for not just us but for France, for Ligue 1, for the clubs here, for the young talented people around Paris. This is the message: whenever you have a dream, make it true. But there is still one match to go.”
PSG will play Inter Milan in the Champions League final on May 31 in Munich after seeing off a third straight English team in the knockout stages. Luis Enrique’s side dispatched Liverpool and Aston Villa over two legs before making it a hat-trick by adding Arsenal to the set.
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