Barcelona icon reveals why he left the Premier League to join the club in 2007 – ‘What I wanted was…’ | OneFootball

Thierry Henry has finally shared the real reason behind his decision to leave Arsenal and join Barcelona in 2007.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast (h/t Mundo Deportivo), the French legend explained that it was all about stepping out of his comfort zone and challenging himself at the highest level.

Even though Barcelona already had some of the biggest names in football, namely, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Samuel Eto’o, Henry did not hesitate to join them.

“I needed a new challenge. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” he said.

“Frank Rijkaard told me I’d have to start on the bench because the front three were already world-class. But I told him I still wanted to come. I wanted to fight for my place.”

Leaving comfort for growth

For Henry, staying at Arsenal, where he was the undisputed star, would have been the easy choice. But he craved growth.

“I need challenges. I’d rather compete every day than sit comfortably knowing my place is safe.

“At Barcelona, I had to relearn how to play, adapt to a new system, and prove myself all over again.”

Thierry Henry was part of the legendary Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

His move to Spain came during a tough period in his personal life. “I was injured, going through a divorce, and had to learn a new language and style of play,” Henry recalled.

“Nobody cared about that, and that is how it should be. When you arrive at a club like Barça, they’ve just won the Champions League.

“They look at you and think, ‘What are you going to bring?’ They don’t hand anything to you, as you have to earn it.”

Proving himself at the highest level

Henry admitted that adjusting to life in Barcelona was not easy, but he understood the challenge he had signed up for.

“You’re the new guy. You’ve never won the Champions League, and now you’re in a team that just did. It’s normal for them to expect you to prove yourself.”

Despite the challenges, Henry’s time at Barcelona paid off. He eventually became an important part of Pep Guardiola’s legendary team and helped the club win multiple trophies, including the Champions League in 2009.

By stepping out of his comfort zone, Henry did not just grow as a player, he also proved he belonged at the very top of world football.