French Football Federation: Thierry Henry may not play for country again

The French Football Federation (FFF) has vowed to "do
something" to honour Thierry Henry, but hinted the former
Arsenal star will not play again for his country.
Henry, 37, ended his international career on the sour note of
France's catastrophic 2010 World Cup after scoring a record
51 goals in 123 appearances for Les Bleus.
Following the end of Henry's contract with New York Red
Bulls this month, which may signal the end of the striker's
playing career, France's main sports daily L'Equipe launched a
campaign for the ex-Barcelona man to be allowed to appear
for his country in March's friendly with Brazil to give him the
opportunity to receive the recognition the paper feels he
deserves.
FFF president Noel Le Graet told L'Equipe they had
opened up "an interesting, intelligent" debate on the issue of
giving long-serving and distinguished players an appropriate
send-off, but added the relative lack of time for France coach
Didier Deschamps to prepare for Euro 2016 meant Henry
would almost certainly not be given a game.
"The idea of honouring an immense player is positive," he said.
"We're going to look at it. But we are also preparing for
Euro 2016 and there are very few matches left on the
schedule, only four this season and 10 the next.
"Didier has to present the best possible team to prepare for the
[tournament]. But we're going to do something for Henry,
and also for other players who we have not managed to bring
together."
Deschamps says that Henry could yet play for France, and
would talk to La Graet regarding the striker.
L'Equipe suggests the FFF may honour the six internationals
who have more than 100 caps. They are Henry, Lilian
Thuram -- who has a record 142 appearances -- Marcel
Desailly, Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and current
national team boss Deschamps.
Henry, meanwhile, has yet to decide on his future. While he
has suggested he may continue playing, he has also stated his
"wish" to work with Arsenal again while adding he is
interested in becoming a coach.
Henry's former Arsenal teammate Ray Parlour told
talkSPORT the forward could eventually replace their
former mentor, Arsene Wenger, in the dug-out at the
Emirates Stadium.
"I think he will definitely get involved with Arsenal," he said.
"I certainly believe, one day, if he really wants to be a
manager, he will be manager of Arsenal. He was such an
intelligent player.
"Arsene Wenger used to have a meeting on a Monday with
the players after a game and Thierry would always have his
say. He would make some great points, not just about
forwards, but about defending and how we defend as a team.
"He always had that charisma to be a manager. And look at
his name around the world. People would want to play for
him and he would attract big players."