Inter Milan & France Star Praises Arsenal Legend: ‘For Me He’s A Bit Like An Uncle’

Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram feels that legendary former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is “like an uncle” for him.

Speaking to the France international team’s official podcast, via FCInterNews, the 26-year-old gave his thoughts on Henry’s influence on him in the Clairefontaine youth academy system.

It would be no insult to Thuram to say that the Frenchman has a long way to go if he’s to get close to the stature that Henry has in the game.

The legendary former striker is regarded by many as the greatest player in the history of the Premier League.

And Henry is certainly among the most accomplished players of his generation.

The former striker has had a big influence on the current generation of footballers particularly.

And Thuram will have had a unique relationship with the Gunners icon.

Henry was an international teammate of Thuram’s father, legendary former Juventus and Parma defender Lilian.

And Henry also maintained a lifelong connection with Clairefontaine. That is the academy that Marcus Thuram also came through.

Therefore, the Inter striker naturally drew inspiration from Henry, even beyond what would be expected from a young French player who grew up watching the striker’s heroics.

Marcus Thuram: Thierry Henry “Like An Uncle”

Thuram said of Henry that “He’s a point of reference for me.”

‘Because of how he played, but also for his behaviour off the pitch.”

“He’s the example of what Clairefontaine tries to create,” Thuram noted of the legendary former striker.

“For me he’s a perfect testimonial.”

“I’ve known Henry since I was very little, through my father,” the 26-year-old noted. “For me, he’s a bit like an uncle.”

Henry was part of the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup and the Euros in 2000. So was Lilian Thuram.