Last Kicks

Thierry Henry built his fame and fortune in Europe's cosmopolitan soccer capitals. He lifted the World Cup in his native Paris. He helped Barcelona claim European and world titles. There's a statue of him in London, where he scored 228 goals for Arsenal and helped inspire the club's undefeated Invincibles in 2003--04.

New York City certainly is cosmopolitan, but it was hardly a soccer capital, even by U.S. standards, when Henry joined the Red Bulls in 2010. MLS was a failure in its biggest market. And while Henry couldn't deliver an MLS Cup to Red Bull Arena, he did bring class and stability to a club in need—and its first trophy, the '13 Supporters' Shield, for most points in the regular season. Last week, at 37, he announced his retirement from soccer. He leaves the game a legend on both sides of the Atlantic.

PHOTO

NOAH K. MURRAY/USA TODAY SPORTS (HENRY)