Laurent Blanc: 'Thierry Henry could have played even longer'

Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc has paid tribute to retiring countryman Thierry Henry, before claiming that the striker could have continued playing football for a little while longer.

The 37-year-old called time on his illustrious career yesterday in order to focus on his new media duties with Sky Sports.

However, Blanc, who linked up with Henry at international level with France as well as playing against him on numerous occasions in the Premier League for Manchester United, insists that the former Arsenal man could have delayed his retirement.

"The youngsters today cannot imagine what Thierry Henry has done during his entire career because he played abroad a big part of his career," FourFourTwo quotes the PSG boss as saying.

"He has done so many things in football. I think to the French national team obviously. I think also about Arsenal. He is a part of the history of a very important club. That's a fantastic player.

"He has amazing ability. At first he was playing more on the wing, before moving in the middle. He has a great sense for goals. He was playing for so long, that's impressive. In my opinion, he could have even played longer."

Henry scored a club-record 228 goals during his eight-year spell at Arsenal.