Thierry Henry may have found second calling as he chases new golden goal | Jonathan Liew

Goalscoring legend has built the France team from scratch and they are 90 minutes from Olympic glory against Spain

It was Thierry Henry’s eldest daughter who ended his playing career. Téa was nine years old and one day in their New York home she tapped him and said: “You’re it.” Henry wanted to chase after her, but couldn’t. The pain in his left and right achilles was simply too acute and agonising. Henry, by then a largely totemic striker for the New York Red Bulls, retired soon after.

So there was an emotional moment at the end of France’s comeback win in the Olympic Games semi-final against Egypt in Lyon on Monday. As Jean-Philippe Mateta put France 2-1 up in extra time, Henry turned to the stands, spread both arms and gazed up at the stands in a reverential, almost religious, ecstasy. Afterwards, video emerged of Henry dancing jubilantly with his players in the tunnel.

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