Arsenal legend Thierry Henry admits he suffered with depression throughout trophy-laden playing career and opens up on 'tough' period in charge of MLS outfit Montreal Impact

Despite being one of the world's top footballers and lifting the game's biggest prizes, including the World Cup with France in 1998, two Premier League titles at Arsenal and the Champions League at Barcelona, Henry struggled with doubt and mental demons. He has admitted to adapting to his challenges, but refrained from speaking out during his playing days.

In an interview with the Diary of a CEO podcast, Henry said: "Throughout my career, I must have been in depression. Did I know it? No. Did I do something about it? Obviously no. But I had adapted in a certain way. I was lying for a very long time because society wasn’t ready to hear what I had to say."

Henry also revealed that he confronted his feelings while managing MLS club Montreal Impact during the Covid pandemic. Isolated and unable to see his children due to lockdown restrictions, Henry questioned his actions and faced the emotional toll of the situation.

“Everything came at once, especially during the Covid time,” the 46-year-old said. “Covid happened and I asked ‘Why are you running, what are you doing?’ I was isolated and not being able to see my kids for a year was tough. I don’t even need to explain that one.

“Something like that had to happen to me to understand vulnerability, empathy, crying. Understand that emotions are emotions. Anger is normal but don’t become angry. Jealousy is normal but don’t become jealous. I was crying almost every day for no reason, tears were coming. I don’t know why but maybe they were waiting for a very long time. I don’t know whether that needed to come out. It was weird but in a good way. There was stuff I couldn’t control and I didn’t try to.

“You have been told since you’re young, whether at home or in your job, ‘don’t be that guy, don’t show you’re vulnerable. If you cry, what are they going to think?’ I was crying but, technically, it was the young Thierry crying. He was crying for everything he didn’t get.”

The former France international also admitted that he had a rocky relationship with his father, who was very critical of his performances, and that might have had a lasting impression on him.

"He was very particular at times on how I was as a player," Henry said. "As a little boy it was always 'you didn't do that well'. So obviously when you hear that more often than not, that's what's going to stay."

Former Tottenham star Dele Alli laid bare his soul to Gary Neville when he admitted to severe mental health struggles due to harrowing incidents from his childhood, which have left him scarred forever. The candid revelations of players such as Alli and Henry shed light on the mental health challenges faced by even the most successful individuals in the world of sport, and the importance of addressing and discussing such issues openly.