Theirry Henry and his Italian baggage

Thierry Henry has lived a couple of lives. Probably more than just a couple. As a youngster, growing up in a middle class neighbourhood of Paris, he used to be an aspiring footballer like most kids were. Before the Champions League finals, they interviewed his friends from the area. They were saying that he was never guaranteed a starting place in the more competitive games. Henry never showed any indication that he would be the player that he is today for Arsenal.

Then he rose through the junior ranks, as any junior anywhere would. Spotted by Wenger for no apparent reason, he was brought to Monaco. After a few years, Wenger moved on to pursue his personal agenda. Henry was then picked by Juventus, as he was showing promise. Besides, everyone wanted French footballers at that point - that was the beginning of the golden generation for French footballers. So he was brought into the "toughest" leagues to partner the likes of Zidane, Thuram, Del Pierro - it was the break that TH was waiting for - a big club, big team mates. However, it never was easy for TH at Turin. He was a joke apparently. The Italians still laugh at him as they would recollect the ball going through his legs often. His morale was going nowhere. His friends at home, probably were smirking as well.

Fate intervened, as Wenger took charge of Arsenal and bought him over to London as a Striker. Even as he departed Italy, there was a lot of ridicule thrown his way by the Italians. The King Size EGO that we have come to associate with Henry today, was hurt.

In the following years at Highbury, there emerged an Henry that none could recognise. His friends in the interview described it as a "miracle". Unlocked by the vision of Wenger and everything else (the AW style, his team mates, his english girl friend, the highbury pitch, fans) , TH has become truly a star footballer - and a stylish one to boot.

He had his opportunities in recent years to get back at the people who ridiculed him the most - the Italians. Played his role in the 5-1 decimation of Inter Milan in 2003 and more recently knocked Juventus out in the Champions League. And ofcourse, the hatrick against Roma in Rome in 2002. But there could never be a better opportunity than tomorrow to pay it back in full.

The Italians will start as favourites - but this man could help in completing the dream run that the French have had so far. Will that Henry from Arsenal emerge? I hope he does. I think he will.