Thierry Henry: 'Weah, Ronaldo and Van Basten were my idols' | Rio & Thierry Part 1

Our main man Rio interviews Thierry Henry on the BBC's World Cup set to talk about one of his favourite players of all time and a legend of the sport; George Weah.
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[@fenomeno1134]

Ronaldo Il Fenomeno from 1995-1999 was the most ferocious, dazzling and scintillating player I have seen to this day. Such a shame the knee injuries robbed him of his peak. He was a prodigy who inspired a generation and the world's best defenders were in awe of him.

[@mysteriouspimp]

Yes. Ronaldo was a Monster (in a good way).

[@0123456787175]

The real GOAT. The greatest player of all time without even a doubt. I take pride in discovering him before the world knew him. It was the Semi-Final at Atlanta Olympics 1996- Nigeria VS Brazil. I am Nigerian. Once he touched the ball, my heart would start raising hard. I didn’t know his name then but I named him ‘the evil one’. He was a complete beast on the ball. Thankfully, the Nigerian players noticed too, they broke his leg, he had to be substituted and Nigeria won via one of the greatest come-backs in football history. Nigerian and Arsenal legend Kanu scored the winning goal. That match was the first time a match was won by then newly introduced (now cancelled) sudden death or golden goal. What a time in football!

[@user-sq8zg7ez2l]

O.A O I agree. The greatest player I have ever seen. Just brilliance within him, without knee injuries, nobody would be within reach of him. Top 3 players of all time Ronaldo, cristiano and messi

[@tonron888]

@@0123456787175 i remember the very first time i saw ronaldo . Its was in 94 in a friendly match for brasil i was 9 years old and boi u just knew he was going to be special. At his best , he was the greatest iv seen.

[@tonron888]

Someone needs to do proper documentary on him on netfix, and show these youngsters what they missed. I feel he is forgotten now, he like the forgotton king.

[@Robson1898vascao]

I miss the 90s... There was talent everywhere. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Romario, Van Basten, Shearer, Weah, Henry, Zidane, Figo, Del Piero, Totti, Maldini, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Seedorf, Berkgamp, Kluivert, Van der Sar, Vieira, etc etc etc

[@rahmamohammednur2243]

Zola,Juninho,asprilla,suker,boksic djalminha okocha hagi Kanu stoitkhov the laudrups, Gascoigne, Di canio, chiesa, morientes,tristan, stam, desailly, lizarazu, trezeguet, papan,ginola and more-that decade was unbelievable,Messi and cristiano have no competition today or any real defenders to come up against.

[@michaeltrumph121]

+Rahma Mohammednur so true

[@Abule1989]

+Rahma Mohammednur football nowadays is a crap. I really missed back days, when there were too many great players.

[@alismgt8194]

Roberto Baggio, Christan Vieri, Gabriel Batistuta, Buffon, Barthez, Dida, Mihajlović, Alvaro Recoba, Rui Costa, Boban, Denilson, Jurgen Klinsmann, Crespo, Veron, Ortega, Javier Zanetti, Nesta, Riquelme, Shevchenko, Filippo Inzaghi, Cannavaro, Pablo Aimar, Ayala, Raul and many more! Had to mention a few after reading all the above, When Football was REALLY exciting to watch!

[@kstar4456]

The defending is nowhere near the level as it used to be which makes ronaldo and messi seem unstoppable its not hard to get passed defenders such as david luiz if R9 was here now he would blow all the players out of the water

[@MrDaggash1]

"Mr George. You don't know " Classy, this guy Henry.

[@downshooter2k8]

legends talking about legends

[@rioferdinandpresents]

New title? :-)

[@WassupFootballFinest]

Ferdinand isn't a legend

[@j-d-r-laird3526]

MackAttack 27 agreed.. alwayd had good players around him and was a mistake every couple of games.. i genuinely believe cahill is strides ahead of rio and all other english CBs

[@WassupFootballFinest]

Yeah I agree and cahill is definitely the best at the moment. John Terry was the best though In his day, what a player. And I don't really like terry as a person but there's no denying it, he was great. Ferdinand was never even the best CB at united (vidic), never mind england, and he'd have to win the league with QPR being top scorer to become a legend.

[@unitedtillidie4680]

MackAttack 27 go home kid

[@FootballDaily]

Henry, what a legend! Fascinating to hear him talk about his idols. Great stuff - looking forward to part 2!

[@rioferdinandpresents]

More out tomorrow for new pearls of wisdom from Thierry :-)

[@vaitalv9361]

You can tell by his gestures when talking about Weah, reminiscing his childhood moments. That's how you idolize a player.

[@jarvisstayne5671]

"People taking pictures of me and i was like Are you mad? George Weah is here" -Thierry Henry

[@abotti17]

I liked it when he said the original Ronaldo

[@iqharootunian2099]

Taher ALSubiani nothing but the truth

[@Uqjsz]

Cause u know he is the first ronaldo then after him comes the second ronaldo did u get it

[@DadreamDahreem]

the only ronaldo - the other is christiano not really luis de nazario de lima - christiano should have changed his last name before playing

[@Flinstone_Edible]

@@DadreamDahreem it's cristiano not christiano

[@theinvader8205]

Orginal Ronaldo means the first ronaldo.Thats what he meant

[@watmahbrown2222]

Thanks Mr. Thierry Henry for acknowledging the greatness of our Liberian soccer legend---"Manneh"

[@23gerenimo]

So much respect for Henry for bringing up one of the greatest of all time.. I was born in Cameroon. As a kid I saw Weah play for a local club called Tonerre of Yaounde before going to Monaco- at home everyone knew he was a monster. He’s talent was unbelievable.. We all know how racist Italian can be - Weah was the best striker for AC Milan at the height of their power in the 90’s as a black man! Nothing but respect and admiration

[@R9Rai]

Ronaldo and Henry are hero's!

[@mikailadolfsen2368]

Hello! :)

[@oobeast7669]

i agree !!!! 100% !!!

[@thelastjediknight1]

*heroes

[@axicautobodycare2897]

In Kenya we are known for athletics and there is one community called kalenjin which most world champs come From and we used to call thiery Henry Langat which is common name is kalenjin because thiery was fast and always out run defenders with speed. (Thiery Henry aka Langat)

[@dukukwamena12]

@@mikailadolfsen2368 wee 3e

[@INFINITY1664]

“George Weah was not playing with a great national team” good point. This is why he’s one of the greatest

[@luvomahlasela383]

Thierry Henry's facial expression when Discussing Weah😂... True Fan

[@karaanwajeer]

Luiz Nazario De Lima Ronaldo will always be my hero

[@skay6205]

I grew up wanting to play like R9. he made football excitin wiv his skill, pace n finishin

[@ArsenBoi89]

"The original Ronaldo" love you Thierry!!!

[@elpadrericardo9239]

Ouhh you remember when cr7 destroyed arsenal and send to shut up henry but yeah the original Ronaldo it's da lima

[@AregaGames]

Spectre5826 stop crying 🤣

[@DC-zi6se]

With all due respect to Suarez and Lewandowski but if they are scoring 30-40 goals per season. Then, R9 would've scored 50-60 every season - no joke!

[@dicesaresuarez7911]

@@elpadrericardo9239 this year 2004 the arsenal win the premier hahahhahahahha you so sad boy..for one match you have a opinion hahhahahha ridiculous.

[@LokyMusik]

@@elpadrericardo9239 Ajax 93 -

[@karmohkamara2018]

Great legend George Weah, the only African with World and European best player award.

[@karmohkamara2018]

He's a great legend

[@peterr3759]

that's a achievement, and he deserved it

[@FolacticsFootball]

"People were taking pictures of me and I was like: Are you mad?" :D

[@kelvinogbeide313]

He did admitted weah was his idol and love his love for him

[@awangbelalang5377]

Ok

[@Kamalakannan665]

That's his simplicity.. What mr. George for him is what he is for others now.. Idol❤️

[@juniorgeizue18]

As a little boy growing up in Monrovia on one of George weah's junior team.. I most have taken his humbleness for granted. Because even my idols idolize him wow

[@luketutolo]

I'm Italian but he deserved the Balloon D'Or when he was at arsenal

[@grinchoi1]

Im with them on this. R9 the original and greatest striker to play the game. He changed the game for everyone. 90% of strikers today believe he is the greatest striker to play the game. From Zlatan, Zidane, Nasri, David Silva, Messi, Benzema, Chicharito...the list goes on n on.

[@ordemeprogresso727]

r9 is one in a life time, Suarez, Zlatan and even cr7 is not on his level and that is by far distance

[@francisdubem5084]

Thierry Henry best player in the world in his prime. Greatest player to ever grace the premier league.

[@SanDiegoSrbin1987]

I m Big Juventus Fan, Del Piero is my Idol, but I also loved George Weah, Weah was a mix of Eto'o and Drogba in their prime, think about that, Strength and Raw Speed, Mr George was a special player...

[@willdiaz5373]

I'm big Juventus fan too since 1993 my favorite player is Roberto Baggio but I like Alex piero also

[@skaaya1]

@@willdiaz5373 I used to loooooove Roberto Baggio!! Still in my fave top 3 players ever.

[@kelvinogbeide313]

I like what he said about George weah....u have my love henry Pure love for weah.....from a nigerian

[@MrAstarloco]

This Thierry guy is amazing great footballer and top pundit!

[@fakephoenixprince]

George Weah and Ronaldo are the two most unstoppable strikers ever. Weah was the most overpowered striker that probably played with great technique and an incredible eye for goal. I was talking to italians that watched AC Milan around that era that were able to see many legends, all four of those dudes (old guys) saying that he's the best striker they ever saw.

[@TA-ht4jo]

Henry is one of my favorite players of all time!

[@ThePacemaker45]

This was amazing. George Weah truly was unbelievable

[@abdourahmanely627]

Technically Ronaldo is the best...👌 a'm africain from SENEGAL 🇸🇳✊

[@bahadorjafari2374]

Weah underrated by a lot of Young fans

[@antcunningham1997]

@@bahadorjafari2374 geroge weah for me is the African Ronaldo el phenomeo he was a phenomenal player. A legend one of the very best 💙💙😁😁

[@daveneo3580]

Henry was a genius...so much pace ...but the skill and control to score amazing goals...wow..!!

[@fantastic1231]

I also have wonderful memories of the great George Weah at Ac Milan one of my most favorite clubs!!! Weah is undoubtedly one of the best players ever!!!!

[@nathanpoppen7529]

Love this. So proud to have Mr. George play at Chelsea towards the end of his career. Love Thierry in this too. What a classy man.

[@simonforrest2522]

Rio hit it on the head.. 'African power' ..its different.. it's raw and natural.. and looks so intimidating to opponents.. ALL HAIL KING GEORGE!!!

[@mourasantos]

I'd rate Henry up there with any of them, alongside the likes of the players he just mentioned. That's how amazingly good he was.

[@bimbum819]

Van Basten best talent ever!

[@andestung1760]

Few footballers talk about their idols with such passion like Henry!

[@kamikazinutter]

So much respect in this video.

[@L1XMJ]

Van basten was my childhood hero too! Never knew Henry idolized him. They both have different playing styles but you can't fault van basten he was unique. And everyone looked up to him. Van basten and weah are probably the best striking duo in football history. The best era of football late 80's 90's.

[@Michkov39-t4n]

He wore the #12 for France in honour of Van Basten

[@yao052]

@@Michkov39-t4n true

[@oz9680]

Henry is a legend too but he is humble .He Destoyed my Brazil back then everytime he and Zidane played yet both him and Zidane speaks highly of R9 .Very humble.

[@ordemeprogresso727]

He can't stand Cr7. His selfishness And rude behavier. You can even watch his angry Expression when the Balondor are giving to him By henry. I cant remember Which year it was.

[@Craig91214]

My idol speaking of his idol!!! Farrkk mind blowned! Thierry Henry and George Weah!!

[@James-kd8bb]

Henry is a legend 100% 🙌 he had it all he was unreal for us at Arsenal

[@magzie9880]

"The original Ronaldo" Love #5 Magazine, and you guys :)

[@kanehenry2606]

Listen to the legend is something that i always like,it's great to talk about the best players on the planet

[@JordynNexus]

Sounded really British when he was saying "are you mad? Mr George, you don't know!" 😂

[@nigelnyoni8265]

R9 the Fenomenon ❤️ legend, GOAT. Of course Henry looks up to him. You know you're the GoAT when the Goats think you're the 🐐

[@geeNi87]

in terms of power and physicality i would compare George Weah with the Great Eusébio. They both had Raw Talent of sheer speed and strength. Weah was a Legend and its because of his Humble African roots that he has been some what forgotten in the footballing world and that's quite a shame.

[@imtbi]

lol taking advantage of the BBC studio. Cheeky one Rio ;)

[@benjaminreakiepowell1165]

GEORGE WEAH..GREAT BALLER

[@awesomefaith5178]

Thierry is right: George Weah had power, speed, finishing, n aerial scoring abilities. (I saw it first-hand). Just like Cristiano, Weah started as a right winger #7 in Africa & Monaco (insane dribbler) but later moved into #9, n still razed hell. Cristiano reminds me alot about Weah. Both @ 6ft 2in - from the traditional # 7, got into center roles with strentgh, speed n terrestrial n aerial abilities to match. Complete!!

[@ahmedabutaleb]

Great Program Guys 2 legends talking about the legends , so for me the best ever is the phenomenon R9

[@TheLightknight7]

Imagine putting R9 - Thierry Henry as the forwards and Messi delivering passes and creating spaces. Unstoppable team 🔥

[@bayorgartweh8245]

All hail King George, the GOAT (the greatest of all time)! 🇱🇷💪🏾✊🏾🔥

[@einc70]

Van basten, Romario, weah etc.. definitely greatest talents back in the mid 90s. For sure.

[@ibrahimcamara9149]

U guys forget r baggio

[@hamzahsyahputra696]

Henry: "..Originally Ronaldo..". YEAH! Thats only one RONALDO! Thanks LEGEND!

[@jaijeet7459]

Yep, that's why Cristiano established his own legacy by CR7. El Phenomeno was just breathtaking, Cristiano has always been my idol but no one compares to this guy.

[@edifysalim5359]

1:32 love it when he said the original ronaldo hahahahaha

[@molaroismorais1955]

George Weah is the best of them all !!!!

[@KMervJr]

The mere fact that some idiots have to ask which Ronaldo is he talking about, shows some people just don't know history.. Smh henry legend!! His face when he says "OH GEORGE" ! Loll priceless (4:09)

[@riddley39]

George has got to be the greatest 50 year old to ever play the game hands down!!

[@michaelthapa4913]

They both always shown high class Sportsmanship What a Legends 🥰🙂

[@gundomatumba191]

Two great legends. Henry and Ferdinand were so great on the pitch ❤❤

[@alextl97]

You know you were good at football when thierry henry consideres you his idol.

[@TreatFX]

This was amazing! So incredibly interesting!

[@rioferdinandpresents]

Thanks TreatFX, we've got loads more new content coming out on the channel so stay tuned! Part 2 is coming tomorrow too...

[@steveohito3950]

Mr. George! Henry has mad respect for Oppong Weah

[@muslimmakhachev3746]

For me in my entire life... i never seen a player with the ball on his feet fast speed as Ronaldo Nazario..he truely unbeleivable

[@slapingsboss9318]

Remember that Weah played defence for his country sometimes too. And He was out standing as a defender as well . He even still sometimes play defence in Some charity games. So Weah was the best of all

[@demonkiyubi]

4:10 " Ohhh George !! "

[@007Fusiion]

"Ohh Carolina!".

[@kingthomas9798]

Our president 🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷💪

[@GeoWrld-wq5se]

2003 henry was a beast imo he is at the same page with the legends

[@BullykutaAmin]

I love George weah

[@karloskaumunika2750]

Simply beautiful....

[@yulesavage7441]

What a legend Goerge weah

[@warldorwessarnoelt3936]

George Weah was so good that intolerance couldn’t stop anyone for voting him as European and World Best Player in 1995

[@ajpierre]

exactly they had no choice

[@mirceapintelie361]

Actually that was the year when the rules have changed to allow non european players to be nominated.Thats why Maradona never won Ballon d'Or

[@warldorwessarnoelt3936]

@@mirceapintelie361 you have a point but I m talking about voting a non “commercialized” person of African descent to be crowned the “best” in the “world” . Let’s face the music

[@sesothomusichub2503]

The respect he has for other players 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽..

[@emmanuelziah451]

Thierry Henry you have gain my respect!

[@henrykettor5036]

George Weah, the Legend

[@thestrangeschool7303]

Its not everyday that you see a legend of football talking like a kid

[@amarjamoo3468]

People were taking pictures of me, and I'm thinking "ARE YOU MAD!?" lol love Thierry

[@Messenger136]

Who else loved "the original Ronaldo " 😂

[@mysteriouspimp]

me

[@simonshashipapo4996]

Originally Ronaldo was the best ever. 2 severe knee injuries but still top world cup goal scorer..

[@87abig]

me

[@luketutolo]

Everyone

[@phinehasmathius415]

R9 The true goat ... Robbed of that joy of many years of true peak thru injuries ... yes, he never reached his true peak and that’s the scary part ... he had to reinvent his game cause he lost that superhuman pace

George Oppong Weah : Mr George was really something. Guys who do not know him, please watch the game Monaco vs Samdoria.

[@peterr3759]

Can't rank this, 3 amazing players with different achievements in different times, enjoyed them all 4, including Henry.

[@lashaamashukeli2346]

As a supporter of Gunners, for me TiTi and Bergkamp were, are and always will be legends of not only Arsenal, but hole EPL! About idols...I never saw anybody playing football like Zizu did!

[@MorningRunner_]

1:33 "the original" Ronaldo... lol!

[@shehzaadasongeet7676]

Morning Runner Yeah...Brazilian Ronaldo The Phenomenon

[@reevesmirondo]

Morning Runner sounds like there is a fake Ronaldo 😂🤣

[@CliffdeZoete]

C. Ronaldo is pretty fake alright. Wannabe Messi...

[@valt1337]

at least he wasnt rude like Mourinho when he said "im talking about the real ronaldo" reffering to ronaldo nazzario and not to cr7

[@MM-vr8rj]

@@reevesmirondo well not a fake one but a plastic one

[@Anradak]

this man is the reason of why till this day i'm an arsenal fan.

[@chiboy39]

I hope someday there's a roundtable full of legends and talk about recent football.

[@TheRealKillingMoon]

George Weah was an awesome player back in the day.

[@kofi61161]

This is great Rio

[@martyminus90]

Rio, give us more of this.

Funny how Henry's idol was Ronaldo Fenomeno although they are almost the same age. That's how good R9 was in his prime.

[@jackriver1999]

Thierry Henry also idolised Adriano at Inter Milan. He is humble enough to show respect to peers...probably took stuff from them to add to his own game.

[@aiyyazmohammed507]

I appreciate the older gsme too I don't even watch today's. I missed how it was back then

[@woundedlion3620]

Eeeeh Thierry Henry said I loved George mehnnnn!🇱🇷🇱🇷

[@Channelforgood00]

Phenomenal he was the best

[@andoreskuqi7597]

this was nice, more of this please !

[@juanjosebooks7991]

Wow...two legends!!!

[@zakzanotti5868]

I'm an arsenal fan, but you can't say rio ain't a legend defending wise he was unreal for Man Utd give the man some credit.

[@douglaspiaia9381]

espírito. técnica. nascido para marcar. .the Best!!!!

[@pirolas03]

Thierry speaking if others like he's not part of it, quit been humble Henry you are one of the greats too

[@babaibrahim9809]

that is great let someone talk about you ,not like some our arrogant strikers who are calling them self best cos they won tree champions league

[@mohammedmsheriff7480]

He was king George Weah, greatest physical footballer

[@prashantraikar7813]

Wat a lovely background view in the interview apart from Ronaldo R9!!!!!!!

ronaldo is the best ever

[@libardoavillalobosnegrete2550]

Me puedes decir que dicen rsyos dos del fenómeno. Ronaldo

[@euanmuller6821]

Messi is and will always be the GOAT

[@euanmuller6821]

Roy Sunshine umm do u 2atch football kiddo or are you just salty now

[@Nautilus1972]

At what?

[@countrihit9503]

Romario is better than R9

[@fabricioalves928]

Ronaldo Fenômeno o original. Henry tbem.foi monstro

[@stanmonzon5788]

Gerd Muller is my favourite. What a striker.