Thierry Henry explains his connection with Vinicius Jr.
Thierry Henry shared his own experiences in light of the alleged racial incident involving Vinicius Jr. He discussed how accusations followed by denial can leave a player feeling alone in stressful situations.
The French football legend emphasized the challenge of having a situation become a matter of one person’s word against another’s.
“I can relate to what Vinicius Jr. is facing. I’ve dealt with this many times. I spoke about it after games when I was accused of making excuses,” he said.
“At times, you feel isolated because it’s your word against his. We don’t know what Prestianni said,” he added.
“Vinicius showed courage by covering his mouth to hide what he said. This makes it look suspicious because you don’t want anyone to know,” he noted.
“Vinicius’s reaction shows that something was not right. We will have to wait for clarity. Vinicius can explain.”
“I doubt Prestianni will clarify his statement. At one point, Kylian Mbappe confronted him, and he claimed he said nothing. You must have said something. Sometimes, you feel lost…”
“When this occurs, you’re unsure of what to do anymore. But let’s see if Prestianni steps up and tells us what he said,” Henry stated.
“You must have said something since you can’t just tell Mbappe you didn’t say anything. So, why cover your mouth? Is it for a cold?”
Henry emphasized the emotional impact these situations can have. He expressed understanding of the frustration and uncertainty that comes with them.
Isolation and scrutiny in important matches
The Champions League match was marred by controversy despite Vinicius Jr. scoring a notable goal. The focus shifted from his performance to the alleged incident and its fallout.
Henry questioned why, in 2026, players still encounter such issues during major European matches. He pointed out that even ordinary moments, like taking a corner, can feel tense in certain scenarios.
“Many players have faced this. In 2026, we should be discussing his amazing goal…”
“Technically, players shouldn’t be told by referees not to approach the corner flag for fear of inciting the crowd. It’s just a corner kick. Why should I not be able to take it because of other people’s thoughts?” he remarked.
The former France international also highlighted a consistent pattern in football, where similar incidents have occurred over the years. His comments reflect ongoing issues related to how such matters are addressed.
By supporting Vinicius publicly, Henry showed solidarity with players who have experienced similar situations, adding a personal touch to a story that extends beyond the game’s result.