I felt sidelined: Thierry Henry

Updated on: 26 June,2010 08:50 AM IST |
AFP |

Former France captain Thierry Henry yesterday said he felt sidelined after playing only a cameo role in his country's disastrous World Cup campaign, but insisted the squad were right to show support for Nicolas Anelka

"I felt sidelined. People didn't speak to me as they used to," Henry told Canal Plus television in his first interview since France crashed out following a miserable tournament, which ended with a humiliating defeat to hosts South Africa that left them bottom of their group.

Henry, the only survivor of France's 1998 World Cup triumph, said he was 'no longer' the big brother figure that the squad's younger members looked up to.

"Previously, people talked to me more, I was at the forefront," said the 32-year-old.

But that changed when coach Domenech indicated before the tournament that Henry would be relegated to the substitutes' bench.

"When you no longer have credibility in a group it becomes difficult," admitted the former Arsenal star, who appears set to wind down his career in Major League Soccer in the United States.

"I felt snubbed and after a bit your pride takes a knock."

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