Video summary
Thierry Henry's enduring connection to New York City stems from his deep appreciation for the city's diverse character and its ability to reflect a microcosm of the world. Having arrived in 1995, he found that neighborhoods like Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx offered an authentic representation of global cultures within a single metropolitan area. This diversity resonated with him because it mirrored his own neighborhood back home on a much larger scale, creating a sense of familiarity amidst the bustling energy. For Henry, New York is not just a city but a state of mind that embodies how life should be lived, where every corner feels like part of an endless story and where even those who might initially feel out of place eventually find acceptance in its vibrant rhythm.
The emotional significance of his time in America was profoundly cemented during his brief return to Arsenal on loan for the FA Cup match against Leeds United, a moment he describes as unforgettable. During that game, Henry experienced something unique: scoring a goal not just as a professional athlete but specifically as an Arsenal fan who had never felt so connected to a stadium before. He recalls staying in the dressing room well past his teammates until 1:15 AM with his boots still on, refusing to leave while fans were still celebrating outside because he wanted to soak up every moment of that special night. This experience fundamentally changed his perspective on football fandom, leading him to realize years later that he was truly an Arsenal supporter at heart, a realization made tangible by the sheer joy and nostalgia felt during those few hours in Leeds.
Beyond sports and urban life, Henry also shares personal reflections on finding culinary comfort after missing Caribbean food upon moving to New York. While he did not find restaurants serving traditional Guadeloupean cuisine immediately, he discovered Jamaican eateries that closely resembled the cooking styles of his home islands like Martinique and Colombia. These places provided a taste of home in an unfamiliar environment, allowing him to feel at ease despite being far from his roots. His journey highlights how food can serve as a bridge between cultures and memories, reinforcing his bond with both New York's multicultural landscape and his heritage. Ultimately, Henry expresses that while not everyone may appreciate the intensity of city life or football fandom in this way, these elements define who he is today, making him feel at home wherever he goes.
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So, 1 2 3.
>> So, Thierry, in 2012, you said that New
York City was the greatest city in the
world.
>> Yeah.
>> What
What brought you to that realization?
>> The The way I am is very close to a New
Yorker.
>> Mhm.
>> Been coming here since '95. Right? And
so, a New Yorker will let you know where
he stands. And I love that. Then, you
see the mix of the city.
>> Mhm.
>> And that's not I mean, that's how the
the world should be. That's how the
world is.
New York for me does represent how the
world is.
>> Mhm.
>> Right? Because of you go to Queens, you
know, you you you can find whatever you
want. You go to Brooklyn, I'm talking
about, you know, the Colombian in
Queens, you can you can get the Italian
in the Bronx. Whatever it is, I'm not
going to go through the whole thing, but
New York City is one of the I would say
best representation of all the world is.
No, but it is true. You know why?
Because it reminds me of my neighborhood
on a bigger scale.
>> Mhm.
>> New York City, how many people live in
10 10?
>> Eight and a half.
>> Eight and a half, right? If I can
be in the place that reminds me of my
neighborhood and have the style,
>> Yeah.
>> uh attitude,
the demeanor.
>> Yeah.
>> You know, you can see someone is from
New York just by the way they walk.
And there you see even before even
before I said it, you said it. And
that's very close to the way I am. So, I
love this city, will always love this
city, and this city also will always be
part of my life cuz my son was born
here.
>> Wow. When you came here in '95, what are
your memories of that first trip?
>> I was lost.
I was lost because you arrive in a city
like that. I I kept on You know, instead
of walking I I was walking like this.
And every single corner is blocks
reminding me of a show.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean, it's cliché, right? The city
that never sleeps, but you know, you can
I mean the noise, the the ambulance
sometime, the police going around.
Normally, if you're in any other town,
people would go like, "I can't do it."
But with New York, it seems that
everything is accepted. If you know what
I mean, all the stuff that you're not
supposed to like, you will like in New
York.
>> It's life.
>> It's just the vibe. You know the song
the song of Nas Nas, New York State of
Mind.
>> Mhm.
>> It is a state of mind.
>> Yeah.
>> It is a way of living. I know that maybe
it's not everyone's maybe cup of tea,
but it's definitely
>> [clears throat]
>> definitely mine. New York State of Mind.
>> You know, I I read that when you came
here, you spoke about missing some
Caribbean food.
>> Yes.
>> And I was wondering if you found a place
that makes you feel at home.
>> I'll be honest with you, not not because
the Caribbeans are big, right? Our foods
are are are different. So, I didn't find
a restaurant that was Guadeloupean
style. I'm more I did find a restaurant
that was uh more Jamaican way.
>> Mhm.
>> And so, it's close to our way of uh of
cooking. Not that I cook, but uh our way
of cooking. Uh but
>> advertising.
>> No, but we're more close the way we we
cook in in Guadeloupe and Martinique,
the food is way closer to Colombia.
>> Mhm.
>> So, Colombian food, I was always going
there.
>> Queens.
>> Hello.
>> Come on.
>> Yes. [clears throat]
>> And you know, I think when many think of
you, there are different memories that
come to mind.
>> Yeah.
>> I'll you know, I'll share one.
>> Okay.
>> Is when you came back on loan.
>> Oh my god, thank you. This is
I I got goosebumps.
>> FA Cup.
>> Yeah.
>> Leeds.
And that goal.
>> For the first time in my life, I scored
a goal as a fan at a club level. So,
that's why you saw and I if you followed
my career, I was always kind of scoring
a goal, you saw rage usually or I was
very passive sometimes. But on that one,
I let myself go.
When I left Arsenal, I realized that I
was an Arsenal fan.
Do you understand what I'm saying? And
that I never felt [snorts] that way and
so connected with a stadium.
Nothing will ever top that night.
>> It felt like you could revel in the
nostalgia
in the moment.
>> And also never said bye to the Arsenal
fans on the field.
>> Yeah.
>> Cuz
I stayed in the dressing room after. It
was 1:15.
I still had my boots. The guy that used
to close the stadium, right? I want to
make him in that set Terry, I need to go
home.
>> [laughter]
>> Because usually when I was a player, you
score, you go. I I milked it. I enjoyed
every single moment.
>> You deserved it.
>> I don't know if I deserved it, but I
allowed myself
to be a fan
for one night.
>> And you gave us memories for a lifetime.
>> But yeah, even you talking about it now
you know, like I'm I have goosebumps.
But yeah, it was a special moment. I
have to say.
>> Thank you, Terry.
>> Thanks for having me. And you know what?
Thank you for everything and keep on
supporting Arsenal cuz we will need it.
>> You have my word.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, brother.