Thierry Henry names the ‘most underrated player in existence’ as the Arsenal legend and France U21 boss hails the star ‘who reminds us that hard work is a talent’

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has revealed who he thinks is ‘the most underrated player in existence’.

Henry is famed for being one of the most prolific and talented players in Premier League history after bagging 226 goals in 370 appearances for the Gunners – winning six trophies before sealing a move to Barcelona in 2007.

The Frenchman is now retired and works as the France Under-21 boss, a role which will see him lead the team at the Olympic Games this summer in his country’s capital city of Paris.

Henry will be able to call upon three senior players above the age of 2023, leading to speculation over who from the current France side he might pick – with the Parisien recently reporting that he wanted to call upon Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.

And during a recent interview with that same outlet, Henry added fuel to the fire by heaping praise on a player he felt was unsung with his workmanlike performances.

He hailed Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann for ‘reminding us that hard work is a talent’

Highlighting Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, he said the forward offered so much to a team other than just his goals. 

Griezmann recently ended his incredible world record streak of playing for the France team 84 times in a row after pulling out of Didier Deschamps’ squad to face Germany and Chile due to an ankle injury.

‘We must not forget Griezmann, who reminds us that hard work is a talent,’ the 46-year-old said.

‘Griezmann is by far the most underrated player in existence. We often talk about Kylian, so much so that I am even in favour of abusing him. But Griezmann… look at his passes and his goals.

‘Tell me who in history could play all four offensive positions like him? There aren’t many. Grizou is one of them.’ 

Henry is reportedly keen to take Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud to the Olympics this summer

This month Griezmann opened the door to featuring for France at the Olympics, despite reports that his club Atletico were unwilling to release him – given that he will also feature for France at Euro 2024 just weeks before.

But the former Barcelona player insisted it was a ‘dream’ and that he would put ‘enormous pressure’ to make it become a reality. 

‘I haven’t talked about it with the coach but it would be a dream for me,’ he said to the media.

‘If I’m called up, I’ll put extraordinary pressure on them to let me do it. It’s a dream, it’s a goal, it’s in France, it’s representing France. The Olympics. Everyone watches them.’

He added ‘I want it and it would be a dream to be able to experience it.’