Henry makes damning Arsenal and Barcelona comparison amid Messi 'soap opera'

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 8 May 2023 09:56 BST
• 3 min read

Thierry Henry has described Lionel Messi’s situation at PSG as a “soap opera” and has compared the Argentine’s position to the one that he had when he first joined Arsenal and Barcelona, clubs where the France legend excelled.

His start to life at Barca, though, was marked by a cutting remark from current head coach Xavi, who was one of Henry’s team-mates as the Gunners’ record scorer joined up at Camp Nou.

Henry has drawn contrasts with that incident to that which the 35-year-old South American has experienced in Paris.

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Messi is on his way out of PSG in the summer when his contract expires, but his time at Parc des Princes threatens to be tarnished by an ugly spat between the World Cup winner and the club.

Following an illicit trip to Saudi Arabia last week, Messi has been suspended by the club for two matches. He was absent for the 3-1 win over Troyes last weekend and will miss the coming match against Ajaccio, despite apologising for his actions.

Nevertheless, it has once again thrown light on the discipline issues at PSG, which Henry has compared to his experiences at Arsenal and Barcelona.

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Henry reveals chastening Xavi experience

Speaking to Amazon Prime, he said: “What are the rules at PSG? In general, it is the veterans who give you the rules when you arrive at the club.

“Me, when I arrived at Arsenal, it was impossible to do what I wanted to do. You were fined if ever you exceeded your status a little.

“When I joined Barca, I laughed at the 'Mes que un club' written in the stand. Xavi put me back on the right track, he said to me: 'You haven't won anything here… When you will have won, you will be able to speak.'”

Henry believes that while PSG have improved as a brand and as a team since the arrival of QSI, they have forgotten the long-standing fans of the club.

This has been manifest in the frustration shown at both Messi and Neymar, who was the victim of a mob gathering outside his house and telling him to “f*** off” last week.

“You have been able to do, in quotes, what you want at PSG for a long time (…) The Qataris made the PSG brand grow, but they forgot the community. There is a real divide with the supporters,” Henry pointed out.