‘I’m very much a Barca supporter. But…‘ — Thierry Henry gives surprising verdict on Real Madrid after 3-0 Man City win

FC Barcelona have already begun the knock-out a part of their UEFA Champions League 2025-26 journey, as they confronted the English aspect Newcastle United within the first leg of the Spherical of 16, which led to a 1-1 attract England.

In the meantime, different groups have additionally performed their first leg matches of this spherical, and in a single such sport, their conventional rivals, Actual Madrid, confronted one other English aspect, Manchester Metropolis, coached by the previous Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola.

Going into the match, the English champions had been extensively thought-about the favourites, particularly contemplating the damage issues affecting the Madrid aspect.

Nevertheless, the Spanish giants delivered a surprising efficiency and secured a commanding 3-0 victory. The star of the night time was Federico Valverde, who produced a exceptional hat trick to provide his group an enormous benefit heading into the second leg.

The sudden consequence rapidly attracted reactions throughout the soccer world, and probably the most notable voices praising the efficiency was former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry. Talking on CBS Sports activities (through Sports activities World), the French legend admitted that even he didn’t see such a consequence coming.

“I’m very a lot a Barça supporter. However you need to give Madrid a number of credit score. No one noticed this coming. And no one noticed Valverde scoring a hat-trick. Anybody who says they knew Valverde would rating a hat-trick is mendacity.”

Henry then added a humorous remark whereas speaking concerning the aura of the Madrid shirt.

“I don’t know what that shirt has. I don’t know what they put in that shirt. I actually don’t. Clearly, I’m joking with what I’m about to say, as a result of I don’t wish to put on that shirt. However possibly if I put it on, it would assist me get my hair again.”

The Frenchman additionally spoke concerning the psychological weight of representing the Spanish membership.

“I do know it’s a shirt that carries weight. However I don’t know why — after they put it on, the gamers appear totally different.”

Henry’s phrases carry explicit weight given his deep reference to Barcelona. The previous French worldwide spent three seasons on the membership and was an vital a part of probably the most profitable eras within the membership’s historical past.

Thierry Henry performed a key function within the legendary 2008-09 aspect that received the historic treble below Guardiola alongside gamers reminiscent of Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o. Due to that historical past, Henry has lengthy been seen as a powerful admirer of the Catalan membership and its footballing philosophy.

For that motive, listening to him reward Barcelona’s greatest rivals so overtly could not sit comfortably with some followers. Nonetheless, his feedback mirror the fact of Madrid’s spectacular efficiency on the night time.

With the second legs of the Spherical of 16 nonetheless to be performed, the Champions League stays broad open. Barcelona will goal to complete the job towards Newcastle, whereas Madrid will attempt to defend their benefit towards Manchester Metropolis as each Spanish sides look to proceed their European journeys.