Champions League
Thursday 28th May 2009
Thierry Henry feels he made the right decision staying at Barcelona following a disappointing first season with the club.
The France international recovered from a knee injury to play in the Champions League Final last night, and achieved one of his career goals by winning the European title as the Catalan club secured a 2-0 triumph over Manchester United.
"I didn't arrive at Barcelona just to win the Champions League but to win everything," he said.
"The coach (Pep Guardiola) wanted me to stay. He was the man that convinced me to stay."
Henry played against Barcelona in the Champions League Final three years ago with Arsenal but was on the losing side.
He was a doubt for this week's showdown with United but recovered from a ligament injury to his right knee that had kept him out since early May.
Henry is not just celebrating a European title but a treble as Barcelona are the first team in Spain to win the Primera Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League in the same season.
"This is incredible," he said. "I had wanted to win the Champions League for a long time.
"It´s something that I was missing. It´s a special feeling because to win a treble in modern football is not easy and yet we have done it.
"No Spanish team has achieved what we have, to win a treble, and I think everyone will remember this Barca side.
"I´m delighted because I always wanted to make history at this club and we've done just that.
"Now we will celebrate."
Henry is also relieved that he was able to overcome his injury in time.
"For me it´s wonderful to have been able to make it to the final and play," he said.
"It's not easy to come back after several weeks out of action but just like Andres Iniesta, we were determined to play."
Henry insisted that nothing came easy for Barcelona this season.
The Spanish champions went into the final without four regular defenders, with central duo Rafa Marquez and Gabriel Milito out injured and backs Eric Abidal and Dani Alves both suspended.
But the strength of Pep Guardiola´s side is such that numerous other players were able to contribute.
"I think this game is a mirror of a season." he said. "It doesn´t matter which player plays, it is the team as a whole that has done the job.
"Our strength was doing what we have done all season, which is to keep possession, play touch football and recover balls.
"We executed our plan of attack, as usual.
"I don´t know if we won the tactical battle, but Manchester United also played attacking football.
"The whole team played well.
"We had several players injured and suspended but those who came out to play did a great job.
"I knew before the game that I had never lost in Rome. Rome for me is a great city."
