Abby Brammell

By Mail Online Reporter

New Yorker: Thierry Henry has recently signed with the New York Red Bulls after retiring from international football


It has been a tough few months for Thierry Henry, so it is no surprise to see the footballer looking a bit downtrodden.

He was pictured with his girlfriend, Bosnian model Andrea Rajačić, outside his hotel in New York.

The striker, two months into his contract with new team the New York Red Bulls, admitted to feeling 'heavy' during a match with Manchester City on Sunday

He blamed his sluggish performance on the fact that he is still getting into shape for the U.S. Major Soccer League season.

The NY Daily News quoted him as saying, 'It feels kind of weird because I'm in preseason when the guys are in midseason.'


The striker blamed his poor showing this weekend on his fitness levels


'I’m nowhere near being fit,' he told The Star Ledger. 'I don’t even have a week of training.

'But I wanted to go out there and try to play with the guys, so that’s what I’ve done.

'To be honest, it wasn’t easy today. I was a bit tired with some heavy legs, but it’s kind of normal.

'I’m trying to work hard after the training sessions.'

Despite this, Henry's team won the match 2-1in the Barclays New York Challenge.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona player scored a goal in his debut with the Red Bulls against Tottenham last week.

The 32-year-old confirmed his move to the U.S. after a disastrous World Cup campaign with the French national team.

Henry's ex-wife Nicole Merry and daughter Téa received death threats after his controversial ball-handling during the French-Irish qualifier last year.

He showed remorse in the face of massive backlash from football fans, admitting to wrongdoing and requesting a replay, which was denied by FIFA.

Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa,' the footballer said at the time.

'I have said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball. I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction'.

The Frenchman decided he would retire this year from international football before the competition in South Africa, where he failed to appear in the starting line-up.


A shoulder to cry on: Model girlfriend Andrea Rajačić has provided support during a turbulent few months for Henry following the World Cup qualifier controversy


France's top goal scorer of all time revealed that racism in European sport was a contributing factor in his decision to move to the U.S. during an interview with Good Day New York.

'In Europe it's crazy. Unfortunately in Europe, it's a reflection on society.

'If you are from another religion, or another country or a different colour then you can hear some bad stuff.

'I never heard any bad stuff about racism happening in the US.'

Henry has been dating Andrea for two years, after meeting the model in Barcelona.

He announced his divorce from wife Nicole Merry shortly after his transfer to the Spanish team in 2007. Their daughter Téa was born in May 2005.


Racism: Henry has suggested European racism is a factor in his decision to move to the U.S. after signing with the New York Red Bulls

source: dailymail