Thierry Henry on why Spanish footballers seem to be the smartest in the world 🇪🇸

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Home of Serie A, NWSL, Concacaf Men's and Women's Nations League and World Cup Qualifiers, Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol, Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileirão Série A and UEFA men’s club competitions including the Europa League, Europa Conference League and... 🎶 THE CHAAAMPIONSSS 🎶

[@Moyitaaa12]

Look at someone like Sergio busquets. Dude was slower and stiffer compared to other speedy CDMs, but his vision, paired with his control and passing, made him a legend in the game with barca

[@lperea21]

Yeah he is still slippery. Getting the ball off of him is difficult

[@obadeyiolaoluwa955]

​@@lperea21exactly especially with his level of confidence and composure

[@sunbro9133]

Wouldn't say he was stiff 😂

[@JonSief]

And that press resistance was beautiful

[@ItsMeBliz]

Puyol, Nadal, Guardiola all great readers of the game

[@stephenmason9527]

As legendary Spanish manager Vincent del Bosque said about Sergio Busquets, 'if you watch the game you don't see him, but if you watch him you see the entire game'

[@sharinglanguage]

That's a good one. Never heard it before but it makes sense, because I have always wondered why people praised Busquets so much, since for me it seemed like he didn't do much during the games. My eyes went always to Messi, Iniesta, Xavi..

[@jenni431]

​@@sharinglanguage Exactly. Not many people have a knack of seeing the hidden secrets. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@foolishnoob47]

@@sharinglanguage kroos i a lot similar in my opinion. If you look at kroos' gameplay with your own eyes and think from your perspective what you're gonna do, he does something very different. he makes around 15-20 long passes in one single game, always switching to the flanks and he always usually passes to carvajal.

[@paulwilliams2024]

Wow that’s absolutely superb analysis

[@sharinglanguage]

@@foolishnoob47 to be honest, the only player that surprised me with his pases (passed where I would have not expected) was De la Peña (also played for Barcelona originally) :). But from my experience you might be right comparing Kross to Busquets, since I usually hardly notice him (like it happened with Busquets) on the filed, and is also considered a top player. But I have seen him playing much less than Busquets, though

[@jacksonagadagaonatry4648]

This Henry is smart, he understands and explain things really well

[@BugattlVeyron]

@@jacksonagadagaonatry4648 is true, I think he would have been a great futbol player...

[@Bassmanbbn4]

He’s a handball cheat.

[@cristianfuentes2597]

In the words of Johan Cryuff football isn't about how much u run but knowing when to run.

[@carltonlambert7608]

Smart people do smart things.

[@adamant6470]

That's why he loves Messi.

[@ezequielgomez1993]

Cruyff said football must be time and spaces, but specially time. When you touch a pass to your front partner, and he turns the ball back, you have the info that you almost alone for made a control bcz you friend gave you the ball, he saw behind you, its a trust relationship. Its so complicated to explain here, i recomend the book

[@rik8556]

It isn’t that hard to understand, it is hard to master though. Spain in that era was an unbeatable collective team. Even the Netherlands with players such as Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie couldn’t turn the the tide in the WC 2010 finals, we were a technical powerhouse but less of a collective than the Spanish team.

[@davidsn4069]

Y hacer q el contrario corra detrás d la pelota

[@waterglas21]

Great point from Henry

[@thereistheonlyone]

Allow me to give this crucial correction ... It is a fact that Pep, Xavi, Xabi, Emery, and Arteta are all from Catalonia & Basque. Not really Spain. 😉

[@seyioyetade]

​@@thereistheonlyone we are one

[@waterglas21]

@@thereistheonlyone Del Bosque & Luis Enrique (are not from does REGIONS from Spain). Also Xabi Alonso considers himself Spanish (aunque te joda).

[@salfetka]

100% great point. In the Premier League we've forgotten the brain/ skills part of football. We focus on people being 6ft4, tall, fast, shooting power etc etc

[@JonSief]

​@@thereistheonlyone*_"MES QUE UN CLUB"_* into context

[@1MPUL5IVE]

Xabi Alonso, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola. All Spanish. All elite coaches.

[@rinkohorowitz]

That Arteta guy is not an elite coach. And was a below average player too, it seems.

[@1MPUL5IVE]

@@rinkohorowitz any coach able to take Arsenal to top of Prem is elite 😂😂😂😂

[@F-F01]

Unai emery, most underrated coach in the world

[@daniillyubych6201]

Luis enrique

[@cowboybeboop9420]

Pep and Arteta are super mid.

[@troy1994]

I'm Australian, and i remember back in 2015, our club signed Luis Garcia even though he was 37 at the time. His vision was incredible he assisted with a sublime pass literally 2 minutes after his debut off the bench

[@EnMilgre88]

After Spain won Euro 2024, Tito word speaks volume.

[@kanderos4743]

Xavi and Iniesta being top 3 is a proof. Also Messi, even though he's not Spanish, he was raised there and La Masia knew that he is special

[@allonzotate7497]

Stop it messi belongs to Argentina.. he SOUTH American footballer he even plays like one but yes he does scan the field like Spaniard

[@MrGA555]

@@allonzotate7497 He means he is a product of the Spanish academy

[@amanixxx0795]

It's not about la masia but Spain...chill

[@Mercurial.]

Fábregas is at the absolute top in Spain. A super 🧠

[@pasindumalshan3070]

Top 3 what?

[@arjitjere1559]

He is correct. Xavi Iniesta Alonso Santi Cazorla Fabregas Silva etc. Spain has been blessed with technical,intelligent midfielders who are masterful on the ball. Spain is great at developing talent on the ball. Arguably more so than any other country

[@justinstewart-ek9tl]

@@mrcinnamon8646i think you missed the point

[@JonSief]

Even the defenders were good on the ball which made the buildup phase more deadly

[@johnnypickles5256]

​​@@mrcinnamon8646no comparisson ,only zidane was as good as xavi or iniesta

[@jayjaysnr]

@@justinstewart-ek9tlthere’s always one that doesn’t get it

[@ItsMeBliz]

I'd add to that Germany is equally as good. They have produced top players for decades and always seem to have good technical youth players coming through, they are great at holding the ball, good at winning it back, and very disciplined.

[@deharobeatz8067]

Tus palabras llenan de orgullo a cualquier español

[@stylezp829]

Aún así la prensa deportiva en España no reconoce, lo que en otros países alaban sobre el juego técnico y celebral de Guardiola, Xavi etc

[@HalaMadrid348]

​@@stylezp829En España eso sucede en todo, parece que los medios tratan de destruir el país

[@deharobeatz8067]

@@HalaMadrid348 se debe a nuestra baja autoestima colectiva, nos creemos peor que todos cuando en verdad tenemos muchas virtudes que muchos países envidian

[@ikkikido8652]

​@@HalaMadrid348a qué te refieres?

[@marianagarcia3799]

​@@deharobeatz8067Ustedes fueron los duenos del Mundo..!! No pueden seguir asi ... Las asociaciones Hispanistas estan creciendo cada vez mas porque estamos cansados de la propaganda Anti-Espanola y Leyenda Negra.. La Hispanidad se esta Reunificando ahora El 14 de Mayo Van a tener El Congreso mas grande en Cartagena Colombia 🇨🇴 para unirnos de nuevo.. Van a Construir una Universidad de Historia Hispana en Nombre del Gran Blas de Lezo 🛡️⚔️ Ver los videos de Patricio Lons Periodista Argentino independente Hispanita.. Y a Marcelo Gullo de Heroes de Cavite y su libro Madre Patria ⚔️

[@ericcardona3227]

I agree with Henry. I’ve been saying this forever. Spain does produce intelligent midfield playmakers.

[@kennyo0079]

@@ericcardona3227 wow good look! Who would’ve known

[@boricuadetorontocanada]

@@kennyo0079 can I get your autograph?

[@universestarhiphop3626]

Spain got the playing style of south America, just like Barcelona did

[@soyuzbeats]

@@universestarhiphop3626 Lol no

[@sui_cidal]

@@universestarhiphop3626 desde tu comentario se ve la ignorancia y poco conocimiento, España creo su propio estilo de juego haciendo que no solo en latino América sino que en todo el mundo tuvieran que acabar usándolo por qué de no ser así nadie podría jugar contra ellos, hoy en día el Tiki Taka es el pan de cada día de cualquier equipo y las formas de pase en ángulos son necesarias en cualquier club, cosa que empezó a hacer España pero la cosa es que se pensaron para justo esos 11 jugadores se eligieron para esa forma de juego, tendrían que volver a nacer esos 11 jugadores para poder ejecutar esa táctica tan perfecta

[@MRnvvg]

The culture the is crazy even Modric's improved because of the culture in Spain

[@carlaribera9042]

Kronos y modric compartieron época con xavi e iniesta y eran partidos loquisimos

[@S0L12D3]

Of course modric improved at Madrid 😂 he’s playing with the best players in the world. And most of them arent Spanish lol

[@ahmedmegahed3898]

@@S0L12D3actually for the most part he played with spanish players. More diverse than tottenham for sure, but still mostly spanish environment.

[@mafiaMk87]

This was taken from crujiff from holland its total football where understanding the game is important as playing it

[@jeancharles6102]

@@mafiaMk87👍👍

[@tratbagd4500]

They definitely were. Xavi and Iniesta were next level too.

[@v02ones59]

And Silva, Busquets, Fabregas, Alonso, Mata, Cazorla

[@Roxas-ph3te]

That whole Spanish WC side were technically and intellectually brilliant

[@arfenmalik1717]

Xavi and iniesta got it from Deco and Ronaldinho. Their arrival at Barca is what started wat Henry is talking about. Xavi was already a Barca player from 1999. It's the arrival of Ronaldinho and Deco that changed their passing game

[@kaypakaipa8559]

@@arfenmalik1717lies😂😂 La Masia is what created this, Fabregas Xavi Iniesta Bousquets Pique Pedro were all playing together under Cruyff system and heavily influenced by Guardiola was the CM for barca and eventually youth coach! Spain as a whole had great Midfielders go watch a compilation of Guti at Madrid nobody paid attention or go watch Carzola

[@ahmedzakikhan7639]

Messi is father of all - Argentina is Spain's father

[@Manpro107]

Spain between 2008-2012 has Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Alonso, Cazorla, Mata, David Silva, all top midfielders. They played a 4 midfield formation, and Fabregas even played ST some times, and they dominated because they were intelligent players.

[@kinGsaL1515]

Other countries step on the pitch and see a football field, Spain step on the pitch and see a giant chess board

[@moparjo_9753]

And only 1 world cup

[@xiscoalfonso]

@@moparjo_9753 De momento!!

[@AlvaroLB-ed5cp]

​@@moparjo_9753 4 euro cups, and wait until 2026 ;)

[@anamariadiaz9552]

@@moparjo_9753 if u leve enough you Will se Spain overpass the res of nacional teams

[@miguelr7238]

Thats how you only get 1 World Cup. lol

[@sergejmaher144]

Micahs face 😂😂

[@sizzledog5595]

He trying not to break character.. U can sense the giggles

[@Maddensx]

​@@sizzledog5595 break character 😂😂😂

[@Nasirmah]

He is talking about the opposite of Micah who was forced but I guess he was defender 😂

[@seyioyetade]

​@@Nasirmahyea brain first not power or bursting into scenes 😅😅😅

[@afan7430]

That’s called Punditry. Just because you’re having a few laughs doesn’t mean you don’t do your job. I watch(ed) Fox Sport’s UCL broadcast(before I knew of this one. And before Arsenal were in the UCL) and they do laugh but Rio Ferdinand is also a serious man. And Theirry Henry is the serious man of CBS. On the show, they do all have their serious (especially Jamie) aNaLasIs moments and funny moments as well.

[@alalba2136]

It is evident that Thierry's time in La Liga had a profound impact on him.

[@user-tm8he6yg2q]

But Henry, although blessed with pace, was first and foremost an intelligent player - and long before he went to Spain.

[@dicesaresuarez7911]

He understand the Cruyff mentality my friend you understand the history of Barza ?? The Liga dont matter because Henry talk to few players...Xavi,Xavi alonso,Silva,Busquets and Mata and Henry play against this players..I mean ,Henry since relations with this players and the mentality Cruyff and the impact in the Spanish football.

[@7PointsMusic]

@@user-tm8he6yg2q My favorite player of all time. Henry!

[@edmondm22]

Henry would have done much more if he’d gone to the club of dreams… Real Madrid

[@segalman]

Spanish mids aren't very known for their pace, but they're sure as hell the brain of the game

[@fasulas7726]

Un frances hablando bien de España! Grande Titi y soy del Madrid

[@sebinho6922]

Soy frances y estoy acostumbrado a escuchar opiniones positivas sobre los españoles. 🇨🇵❤🇪🇦

[@elsampero8397]

No es francés es de origen africano

[@sebinho6922]

@@elsampero8397 es de Martinique una isla francesca mas tiempo que otras regiones francesas como Savoie... pero puede que estés hablando de sus ancestros. Eres racisto ! 😅

[@user-sz2ut4od6s]

@@elsampero8397 He is of Antillean heritage i.e from the French West Indies. His father is from Guadeloupe and his mother is from Martinique. He was born in Paris, France. He is French. He is not from the continent of Africa.

[@tibsky1396]

I'm a Frenchman with Spanish origins on my mother side. So I have a natural sympathy for Spain.

[@afa78djd]

Spain, since I can remember in my over 50 years of watching the sport, always played a beautiful game. I always held that it was a shame they weren't bigger protagonists of the sport, right up there with Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, and others that had a renowned beautiful style of football. I'm just glad they finally got their World Cup in both men and women's divisions.

[@pabloperezmoral]

Yes indeed, i am 50 now (i am spanish...). I remember before the world cups, Spain was among the favorites for the title but never make it until 2010.

[@germangutman3420]

No es verdad siempre segundones al nivel Portugal! La liga importante era la italiana.

[@elruso1992]

​@@germangutman3420Calla panchito

[@robertomoreno7100]

​@@germangutman3420 No es verdad, grandes estrellas del futbol mundial pasaron por la liga española a lo largo de la historia

[@juansanudo4873]

​​@@germangutman3420 titulos de españa 🇪🇸: 1 mundial, 3 eurocopas, 1 oro olímpico, 1 liga de las naciones, jajajaja segundones??? Jajajaja

[@adamkai9272]

That's why they won two 2 euros & World Cup

[@JamesCM86]

Meanwhile England obsessed with ‘putting in a shift’. Well I suppose you have to when you’re always chasing the ball 😂😂

[@sangmentzudir1745]

​@@JamesCM86😂❤

[@autodigitvlogs]

​@@JamesCM86 young players like Messi rejected for being too small

[@Rowsy91]

Facts

[@danielmunozbiayna896]

2 euros no, 3 euros

[@Elonmuskateer]

This aged well 😂

[@doctoritalo]

Andrés Iniesta for me is the biggest brain player for Spain 🇪🇸. Busquets and “ El Niño “ Torres as well as Raúl and Butraguelo were amazing 😊

[@d.s5508]

Micah look like me in class tryna focus 😂

[@fanuelbuhuru4141]

😂😂😂I can relate. Just nodding the head anyhow

[@revenant2979]

Hey. Micah makes this show!! But yes I can relate. Henry can read the phone book and be classy, but he can back it up though. Henry was a genius footballer and now commentator with Micha😅

[@lawedul226]

😂😂😂😂

[@spiktan]

And Micah actually epitomized that generation of English players, fast and powerful but football intelligence was mediocre at the most.

[@stevendiaz5649]

“They go for brain first, they don’t go for big Meeks” -TiTi

[@a-manthe9]

😂😂😂

[@doctoritalo]

😂

[@alexkorami6679]

Come on meeeaaaaan!!😄

[@felixmakinda7689]

I was a big fan of Brazil from late 90's and early 2000's. When I first watched Spain, I felt there was something special about them. Since 2004 I have been supporting Spain. They did not have good results at the start, but there was something special about their football. I enjoy watching Spain play even when they do not win. I feel that at the core of Spanish football is a clear philosophy, respect, and entertainment. I was visiting Tanzania in 2023 when I met a group of about 30 Spanish students who had visited Kilimanjaro's hot springs. I had a Spain jersey on. They approached me and asked what it meant to me. We became friends when I told them it was not just a jersey. Spanish football has become like a religion to me. I'm privileged to have experienced the golden Spanish generation. 2024 is special because we no longer talk about just Barcelona. Spain has brought players from across the Spanish clubs - big or small. They fit in so well. Spain has evolved from the glorious tiki-taka. It's a totally different animal currently. Better days are coming.

[@RedCard1831]

Who's here after Spain won the Euro again? 🇪🇦🏆

[@iabakar]

@@RedCard1831 meeeeee!!!!

[@okechukwuirokanjo8323]

What a great explanation from thiery henry 👏🏾. When someone like henry talks about spainish footballers we listen because he have played with them and against them.

[@Chidozie01]

My dad who quit watching football for a long time because his brother(my uncle) died of a heart attack after our country was eliminated from the world decided to watch the Barcelona vs ManU 2011 UCL finals and exclaimed while watching Iniesta and Xavi, "These guys are just too intelligent! They're playing like Professors of football!", since then I started seeing football in a different way, I realised that football isn't just kick the ball and run

[@HalaMadrid348]

Sorry for your loss, can I ask what game was that? I hope you and your father are better

[@SlushBoxJunikee]

Now thats taking the WE LOST to another level mate

[@PeaceNinja007]

What country?

[@lowengkok1201]

Spot on.Modern football.is changing.

[@mrtefal5108]

I prefer the kick and run of old days. Today's football too technical. Soo boring.

[@meriocompagnoni]

The biggest difference is how they grow up players in youth leagues. For example, in Italy they used to teach us to stay on the man, play the ball was not a priority. In Spain is the opposite. If you do that for 10 years, you have a better technique and vision.

[@zaidi3000]

Yeah but Italians would be crazy on defense

[@Sizdothyx]

Neither approach is wrong, though.

[@meriocompagnoni]

@@Sizdothyx no, absolutely. The problem is after Guardiola era (2009) coaches tried to introduce this kind of game (copying) in all the youth leagues. Unfortunately with bad results as they are not Guardiola and with the wrong approaches. As result, we ruined a couple of generations of players. I think it is important to respect our roots and introduce some aspects of innovation. Also, in Italy there is a huge pressure to have results as soon as possible, this is why it is hard to let young players doing mistakes (have bad games is normal when you are young) and innovate (see Luis Henrique in Rome). I have a lot to say about it. W football ⚽️

[@alvaromaqueda1189]

Also we have another diference, in Spain kids start playing Futsal before moving to normal Football like Brazil, Neymar, Ronaldinho and many Spanish footballers and thats the reason of our good technic with the ball, the second diference is that we dont have a youth league for 18-21 this boys go to play on what we call in Spain "filial" like Real Madrid Castilla or Barcelona B, this teams usually play in 3 or 4 division with teams that have mature players, this is a way to this youngers to learn tricks that the lack of experience they dont know yet, so thats the reason Spanish have so many intelligent players, buona fortuna per questa Eurocup, i have some friends in Italy and if Spain dont win i support Italy, as i did in the last Eurocup.

[@santiagoandresmartinez3093]

Guardiola , copió el sistema de Luis Aragonés , en la Eurocopa de 08 . Luis , les decía a sus jugadores : sois los mejores , tocar la pelota de un lado para otro y nadie os va a superar.... así fue . Y esto lo comprobó Guardiola , que empezó la liga 09 con el sistema de la selección campeona , o muy parecido .

[@joseangelperezjarillo7548]

Y a Thierry lo queremos mucho tb en España;el si fue un súper clase 🇫🇷

[@Themotivation066]

They go “brain first” spot on Henry you know how la Roja think. Muchas gracias

[@nofurtherwest3474]

At what age do you teach the kids to start scanning?

[@perrymanso6841]

@@nofurtherwest3474 Normally should be teach from 11+ - onwards.

[@perrymanso6841]

You mean "La Masia"...

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@perrymanso6841 ok thanks, my kid is 9. sometimes i tell him to work on his scanning, but maybe its too soon

[@perrymanso6841]

@@nofurtherwest3474 yup man, he should be solely focused on learning his body balance and being comfortable with the ball at his feet while moving.

[@thedesigndocument5761]

This lives on till now even in other Spanish clubs that aren't as big as Barcelona or Madrid. Dani Parejo at Villareal, or Zubimendi at Sociedad, or Oliver Torres at Sevilla. Absolutely intelligent players. They even pick foreign players based on intelligence first. Griezmann being the best example.

[@latinonic1]

Modric, Kroos, de Jong, going further back in time the brothers Laudrup, etc, etc.

[@sergiobenito9730]

It's Real Sociedad, but I agree with your comment.

[@HellowCraft]

Thats why Spain 2008 - 2012 is the best national team ever

[@oscarmeneurubio3330]

And that's why Spain discovered América and not others

[@MrKylljoy]

@@oscarmeneurubio3330 do you realise that Colombus was not spanish but Italian right ? And even then he wasn't really the first to discover the Americas

[@pablobrion6177]

​@@MrKylljoyDo you realise that we don't know where Cristobal Colón was from right? Him being from Genova it's theory, as him being from Galicia, Catalunya or Portugal...

[@Tommynabo13]

Go look to the most recent studies, he was galician, NW Spain, ​we was not capable of speaking italian @@MrKylljoy

[@elreydelabaraja75]

​@@MrKylljoylike Elon Musk is not American but his companies are. Same with Columbus. And if you look for the meaning of discover, the you will see that Spain discovered America and much more: the world as we know it

[@jorgefernandez8728]

Finally one mentioning the legend David Silva, it had to be Henry

[@elpilo69]

The best example is Juan Mata, the guy has very little physical attributes, but he can scan the field and get the ball to the right people.

[@georgenabulele]

Thierry Henry is a Don. He understands the Spanish soccer development and dominance. He is so correct in this analysis. Who could have imagined Xavi and Iniesta occupying the Greatest Barca Midfield ever? But Rijkaard brought them together, and the rest is history.

[@sinking1902]

Henry was so intelligent…He also knew exactly what his strengths were so when he saw the game opening up in front of him he thought “ok…no need for trick just keep it simple and knock it past Carra and leg it!” 🤣🤣🤣 That was his intelligence at work.

[@niconaegeliblog]

Shouts out Rijkaard, legend of the game.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

At what age should players start scanning? How young?

[@shneebs203]

@@nofurtherwest3474literally as young as possible so it becomes second nature. I teach it to my 6yr old cousin & tried to teach it to my 9yr old cousin early as well but he just wants to obliterate players like vidić lol

[@BetaFax]

@@nofurtherwest3474 Agreed with the post above. As young as possible. Right when a player realizes that it’s more than them and the ball on the pitch, basically.

[@caronte7995]

Siempre es un placer recibir halagos de un grande de la historia como lo es Henry. Disfrutamos mucho de el en su epoca en el barsa, grande❤

[@arian2249]

El jugador español es reconocido en todo el mundo producto nacional y henrry tiene mucha razón en las escuelas se prioriza el automatizar movimientos tácticos, pases, ayudas defensivas, movilidad para crear espacios. Y no es algo de las grandes escuelas puedes ir a cualquier club de cualquier ciudad o barrio

[@zisolo4283]

Thats a great point, u look at the international Spanish team during that 2008-12 dynasty, they were not the fastest, not the strongest, but they were the smartest, by far. Knowledge of the game is so important. And Spain has always produced smart players, Pep is the greatest coach of all time, he is from Spain.

[@chelentano4]

Catalunya is not spain😂😂😂

[@javiceres]

@@chelentano4 It’s china’s

[@santiagoandresmartinez3093]

​@@chelentano4los catalanes se asientan en España , en época Medieval. España ya había sido la monarquía Visigoda .... son los catalanes los foráneos !!!

[@brunoshkurti7740]

@@javiceres hahahaha

[@viejomundodelcaballo]

@@chelentano4 Hablamos del mundo real, amigo

[@leobeenplakker6505]

That Spanish midfield was really something else! Xavi,Iniesta, busi, Alonso, Silva, cazorla, fabregas, Mata…to much quality. To think someone like Cazorla was a benchwarmer

[@tweetyuno]

Well, it was time of Negreira

[@turritopsisrockola]

Even David Villa was not a brute #9, he was the best, so clinical

[@adrigomez2393]

And Aitana Bonmatí

[@adrigomez2393]

​@@tweetyunotambién jugaba Negreira?

[@santiagoandresmartinez3093]

Sí , el barsa aportaba más jugadores que el Real Madrid , pero sin Casillas , Ramos , Xabi , Arbeloa , España , no hubiese tenido tanto éxito.

[@High_Society69]

Y’all forgetting Thiago Alcântara man is a beast at scanning and a master at long passing! 😮‍💨

[@shipit9937]

Brazilian and rubbish these days

[@High_Society69]

@@shipit9937 he’s half Spanish & Brazilian born and raised in Spain…. 😶

[@shipit9937]

@@High_Society69 Wrong.. he was born in Italy, grew up in Brazil, parents are Brazilian. He moved to Barcelona when he was 14

[@Barnz23]

if only injuries didn't ruin him we'd be talking about him in the top 5 of all time

[@shipit9937]

@@Barnz23 No we wouldnt.

[@patcomerford5596]

Brilliant and intelligent observation, "brain first".❤

[@ncr8526]

Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Xabi Alonso, Fabregas, Cazorla, Busquets... And from before de la Peña, Valerón, Mendieta, Guti, Spain's always had amazing midfilders.

[@rdg9768]

BROOO... VALERÓN!!! WHAT A MAGICIAN... People outside of spain dont know him... wich is sad... one of the best PURE and RAW talent player with the ball Spain ever produced. Sad injuries kill a little bit his carrer.

[@chivalunamth]

Raul,Luis Enrique

[@ncr8526]

@@rdg9768 absolutely!!! Im from the same place he is and we love him here as Maradona!

[@ncr8526]

@@chivalunamth Total legends!!

[@franciscojavieraguilar9370]

Valeron, Isco, Mendieta, y muchos más con tantísimo talento que no se nombran pero también estuvieron a la altura

[@ikeremblem255]

2010 🇪🇸 World Cup Team is proof Great players my favorite squad

[@araujo1899]

Titi is my favourite analyst. He is always very honest about his opinions.

[@0darumair0]

Just won another euro 🇪🇦👏👏

[@Solisdany9]

That World Cup team for Spain was 🔥 . When they were on the brink of elimination! I called it that they would win the World Cup !

[@Fit_Fitz]

This is incredible in the way it’s been explained and broken down by the true legend of the game Mr Theirry Henry

[@rohitpatil8230]

His ball knowledge is insane. Learnt from the best.

[@humbledon9700]

Dr. Thierry Henry. Sir Henry.

[@clementerosauro9127]

to be fair, its not hyden. it is there for everyonr to see

[@bennyanthro4891]

Bien dicho. Carles Puyol was a monster.

[@Kindness-xq4no]

only that he was a defender and not a midfielder but fair point.

[@jaloloj.5089]

Gaizka Mendieta was one of them as well👍

[@yangerjamir0906]

You mentioning him just teared me up. Valencia during his hey days was a beautiful team.

[@abhinav9760]

Spain would win any tournament if they produce even half decent striker.

[@robertomoreno7100]

Duro pero es una verdad como un castillo

[@vialonb1]

No creo, medio decente ya lo tenemos. Quizá si tuviésemos uno muy bueno

[@thesnypa5661]

Joselu 🤣

[@Raydensheraj]

David Villa....

[@abhinav9760]

@@Raydensheraj they did win everything when they had him

[@ornobislam5106]

This actually makes sense. A lot of players look at the ball and around the ball when receiving. Their eyes are at the ball. Then there's a special few who always glances at the whole field while receiving, even when the ball is not at their feet.

[@joenieto5491]

I think that Spain has shown many times that they are a top class team and one of the best in Europe and the world.

[@saif9amar417]

Spain plays well aganist Europe Teams but against African AND South American Teams Spain is hopeless...Because over there they play hard and strong.

[@joenieto5491]

@@saif9amar417 if you say or think so I aint going to argue with if that's what you believe good for you, just don't be so convinced

[@saif9amar417]

@@joenieto5491 let's take just one example in 2018 World Cup in Russia Spain had very narrow escape at the last minute against Morocco. Spain 2 Morocco 2..And in 2022 World cup in Qatar Morocco did win Spain : Morocco 3 Spain 0.

[@joenieto5491]

@@saif9amar417 We've played Morrocco 4 times and we drew 1 lost 1 but won 2 , I suppose now you are going to tell me that Spain were just lucky those times?, like I had told you before bro believe what you want, but just have a look at what most of the footballing world is saying about Spain ok, 4 times European winners(have the record for most times a country has won it) and a world cup winner, but I suppose your going to tell me that the Spanish were just lucky all those times Morocco beat Spain once Spain beat them twice and once they drew I would say it really goes more in favour of the Spanish than the Morroccan I'm afraid.

[@Dr.MarvelousGarcia-Martinez]

The Spaniards are smiling listening to Thiery Henry analysis. 😊 Salute to España(Spain).

[@prewin6]

South American players are blessed with their technical ability on the ball while Spanish players have excellent vision and game reading capabilities. And then there’s Messi who is an amalgamation of both.

[@rdg9768]

Spanish players are not blessed technically? bruh... David silva? INIESTA?? if thats not magic technically speaking... Valerón, Santi Cazorla, Isco... those guys could literally start to dirbbling 2 or 3 guys like nothing. Spanish top players have everything except of speed and super strength.

[@natoslayer2907]

They aren't blessed with anything. They just learn it from the moment they start walking.

[@robertramos1190]

Very good observation that’s why it’s chess not checkers. Vision first and athleticism second

[@user-cq4nq8ci9o]

This the heritage of Johan Cruyff , he use to play futball like Chess game

[@vassilyvodka2638]

As we saw today; cruyffian total football is alive more than ever

[@patcoughlan8321]

I am a bit annoyed with your post. I was going to post that Cruyff is and was the most influential football person in last 50 years. Looks like you beat me to it.

[@vassilyvodka2638]

@@patcoughlan8321 great minds think alike

[@patcoughlan8321]

@@vassilyvodka2638 😁😁😁

[@zakariaosman2384]

You mean the most boring era

[@patcoughlan8321]

@@zakariaosman2384????? What boring era?

[@BFCNick]

Brain first because the body can develop, a good brain is hard too find.

[@toni-hb7sb]

Not only has he been a legend of football, but a smart man too.

[@Ruisumi_migeru]

The Japanese country that we admire most in football is Spain, neither Brazil nor Argentina, Spain, which has had such legendary players and thank God Japan was able to have Iniesta for many years 🇯🇵🇪🇦❤🎉

[@bocajr4life]

Argentina and Brazil with less resources produce the top footballers of all times. 😅

[@Zizoujr11]

@@bocajr4lifeBrazil yes, Argentina not so much

[@bocajr4life]

@@Zizoujr11 I guess you don’t know much about football Maradona and Messi 2 of the 3 greatest footballers, kempes, Riquelme, batistuta, Alfredo diestefano, etc 😂

[@alfonsohorcajada4399]

Thank you Japan❤

[@RobertoLopez-eg9ui]

@@bocajr4lifeBrazil have 203million of population Spain have 45. Also last 16years Spain won 1 world cup 3 Eurocup 1 nations. What won Brasil this years? 😂😂

[@siyabongakunene5052]

That's why they've also produced so many world class coaches. You could argue that Zidane, the coach, who is not Spanish, is a product of La Liga as well.

[@masudiabuhashim4361]

Zizou is a product of league 1 , the world got to see him clearly at seeia A in juve before madrid snatched him

[@user-nr2st3mj6r]

@@masudiabuhashim4361I believe he was referring to Zidane "the manager"

[@KingArtoriusTV]

I know he used the word Spain, but I think in general the football league has a habit of seeking out intellectual players from different countries for the league games too. Southern Americans players all play with their brains first before any psychical attributes. Most of them hardly ever trained.

[@masudiabuhashim4361]

@@user-nr2st3mj6r again zizou the manager is fusion of ancelloti and del bosque .... and very little of mourinho were he was coached by the previous two and was assistant to mourinho and ancelloti before he took over from benitez...

[@siyabongakunene5052]

@masudiabuhashim4361 Ancelotti and Del Bosque, whom he worked with in La Liga🤷. That's my point. I wasn't referring to Zidane, the player, but the coach.

[@OryanMakhanya-nh2rl]

Gutiérrez Hernández (GUTI)❤

[@GIovany-ry2qk]

No estoy acostumbrada a que digan cosas buenas sobre los españoles. Es una sensación extraña. Muchas gracias

[@walterdelgado1285]

Rodri and Fabian..,didn't saw it coming but ..man! Then ,there is Dani olmo.. From Laporte - Rodri- del olmo then los Delanteros.

[@obinnaochiagha1097]

Excellent point from Henry - brain first before speed

[@-PlayMaker-]

Busi, Iniesta and Xavi are perfect examples of this especially Busi. He is tall sure but hes skin and bones and he runs like a newborn deer. But that brain was off the charts, his vision and passing were the best in the world.

[@DLWolfFC]

You're right, today physique, speed, strength, jumping high are important. but the most important aspect is intelligence in the game, skill and technique with the ball cannot be forgotten. It's not all about putting 1 big guy at the goal and 10 fast guys in the field. If it were like that, the African teams would win everything. 😃🇨🇴👍⚽

[@silenttekkerz1]

•Santi Cazorla🇪🇸 •David Silva🇪🇸 •Xavi🇪🇸 •Iniesta🇪🇸 •Cesc Fabregas🇪🇸 •Sergio Busquets🇪🇸 •Xabi Alonso🇪🇸 •Dani Parejo🇪🇸 •Javi Martínez🇪🇸 •Rodri🇪🇸 •Koke🇪🇸 •Isco🇪🇸 •Juan Mata🇪🇸 •Gabi🇪🇸 •David Villa🇪🇸 •Pedro🇪🇸 •Raul🇪🇸 •El’ Nino🇪🇸 •Joaquin🇪🇸 •Aspas🇪🇸 •Gerard Moreno🇪🇸 •Marcos Senna🇪🇸 •Puyol🇪🇸 •Sergio Ramos🇪🇸 •Jordi Alba🇪🇸 •Juanfran🇪🇸 •Hugo Bueno🇪🇸

[@KHNH-wg8ko]

Rodri 🌟🇪🇸

[@evansmungai6384]

@@silenttekkerz1 Fabian Ruiz. Also He wrote his name in the annals of Spanish football

[@GamesForAndroid849]

Carvajal Casillas Fernando Torres Raul Morientes Pique

[@cheungjeremy9763]

Guti 🇪🇸

[@javierruiz5353]

Arteta

[@AMAZING-bi6ib]

english scout: pace, strength, shot from outside. foreign coaches ve been a blessing to young english prospect

[@lauramartin-bk9nr]

Foden 60 y ago probably wouldn`t have made it to the English national team.

[@AMAZING-bi6ib]

@@lauramartin-bk9nr foden is playing now becos pep discovered and nurtured him. otherwise a british coach would ve ignored him. so many talents being wasted

[@DamaniDanDadar]

I coach a team of now 12 year olds that has won their league the past four seasons playing against kids one year older. I ALWAYS look for brain first and try to teach it. My first eleven are the smaller, slower but really intelligent kids that quickly understand and execute game plans perfectly. They also watch lots of top-level football, unlike the others. Every child, parent, and coach needs to listen to Henry's words here.

[@casty4568]

Well said there you have it.. the real "mentality monsters " 💯

[@Neil_1996]

here after Spain won euros 2024 😅

[@AkashRaj-1369]

The best example of a player with a brain - Sergio Busquets, the best cdm ever. If you saw him play for the first time, you'd question "what for is that guy on the pitch? ".

[@wefinishthisnow3883]

Busquets easily one of the greats. I'd also add Rodri and peak Kante (2015-2021) in as a contender.

[@Prasko131]

@@wefinishthisnow3883 Kante had like 2 pretty good season but wasn't really that special. Rodri is definitely better than him but stil miles away from Busquets level. Let's not forget an old Busquets kept Rodri on the bench for Spain until he decided to retire from the national team.

[@diligenceeke3023]

@@Prasko131 Kante had just two good seasons. Hahahah...

[@mavusana12]

Best cdm ever?? One of the greats definitely best ever nah?? Maybe if you watch Barcelona only 😂😂 the disrespect to Pirlo,Makalele,Matheus his up there with them but best ever no ways.

[@Prasko131]

@@mavusana12 If you really think Makelele is even close to Busquets you must have negative ball knowledge. The only one that is comparable is Pirlo and Busquets is easily a better player and has more trophies with club and country

[@The28studio]

Xabi Alonso,Silva, Cazorla,Fabregas, Gutierrez and of course Xavi and Iniesta Then the foreigners recruits,Ozil,Cross, Modric,Zizou of course...ect All played in LaLiga.

[@muhsalihu]

Valeron!

[@diligenceeke3023]

Lol... Alonso, Fabregas, Modric were actually developed in the Premier league.

[@davidel6469]

​@@diligenceeke3023Alonso was a star in real sociedad before that, Madrid wanted to sign him very young, and Fabregas come from Bcn youth team

[@davidel6469]

As I see and what I think Titi says is not that Spanish are smarter than anyone but that it's something they really appreciate in Spanish football...I don't know exactly how he said that but Klopp said sth like "I won't get a stupid player I don't care how good he is"

[@muhsalihu]

@@diligenceeke3023 Alonso came to the prem after establishing himself at Anoeta.

[@daduchoeama]

Uno de los mas grandes de la historia del fútbol hablando asi del fútbol español le engrandece todavía más

[@khadeerhussain]

100% that’s why they produce world class, technically gifted footballers.

[@user-yz6xm8qg4k]

Xavi Iniesta Fabregas Silva Cazorla Valeron Mendieta Baraja Guti Busquets Rodri Arteta Xabi Alonso Guardiola Koke Thiago Parejo Michel they've had sooo many. They just produce great mids. Pedri and Gavi coming through now. See what happens there.

[@jal051]

You get a thumb up for mentioning Valerón.

[@tweetyuno]

The difference is that the Real Madrid is not stuck in the past. The barca keeps saying about Messi,Iniesta Puyol. What's happening now that they keep losing?

[@jal051]

@@tweetyuno You are young. I remember the days when TV adds made jokes about Real Madrid not being able to win a CL in over three decades. And the Madrid supporters didn't shut up about their B&W trophies. It happens to everyone.

[@dorianrodriguez6832]

Sergio Busquets is the prime example

[@bluejeans5125]

David Silva was very talented inteligent, football player in Spain, we are proud and love him he was born in Gran Canaria. He had the strength, the will and the brain......

[@porfidonki]

Eres un gran embajador de España, Henry gracias.

[@shaqielhaykal]

Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Iniesta, Rodri. Exceptionally smart players indeed 🇪🇸

[@bakailfrozen1944]

I agree. They always look like the next iniesta with their vision and passing

[@JohnDoeTroll]

Messi grew up in Spain and learned to play from the age of 12 at Barcelona. Additionally, his grandparents had roots in Spain and also in Italy. Moreover, Messi almost played for Spain; they offered it to him because he was being overlooked in Argentina. You can see what he learned in Spain; without what he was taught at Barcelona, Messi would have been like Saviola and not much more.

[@Rookshana.Takolia786]

Thierry is not only a football legend, he is also intelligent and classy.

[@cascade3769]

Deliberately handballing against Ireland was low.

[@Rookshana.Takolia786]

@@cascade3769Agreed, but show me ONE footballer in todays modern era that has a squeaky clean records?

[@WeDoGamingDaily]

As a real madrid fan the most clear option here is Iniesta. Never will there be someone like him again, even busquets used 2 give us nightmares.

[@YB00]

Xavi was better in this department.

[@WeDoGamingDaily]

@@YB00only in terms of build up play and passing. Overall vision and movement Iniesta was better

[@chaseopticals2721]

​@@WeDoGamingDailyvision?

[@YB00]

@@WeDoGamingDaily Iniesta looks as though he has better overall vision and movement only because he is a more offensive player - that's what the audience sees. But in reality, Xavi has better vision. He used to dictate the whole game, not only his team's movement. When to slow it down when to attack more.. etc. Iniesta is better attacking space with the ball. That's why one of them is a 6 whereas the other is an 8.

[@Prasko131]

Pedri is almost at that level already so there is someone like him for sure. If Pedri was a City player he would have multiple trebles already

[@kurtsudheim825]

They're 2 types of scanners I've noticed, ones that physically, constantly look around the pitch, every few secs, Martin Ø, is a great/ excessive eg of this, then there's others that just know, the no look pass, rubber is behind them but they'll just know he's making a run & lay it off perfectly

[@jivet3919]

Those ones who seem to “know” are also scanning. A combination of vision and memory of positional play

[@athos5761]

They still scan

[@palatialslumlord4938]

That's just your mind playing tricks on you or the little details that are lost, when you are spectating on TV or from the crowd. No human being has eyes on the back or side of their head, they all scan the same way, some people just have better memory & sense of where they are in 3 dimensions(if that makes sense).

[@ovoj]

​@@palatialslumlord4938 There's feeling and intuitive passes also. Sometimes you just know. I've hit such passes myself where I didn't see but I knew

[@OJsPop]

@@jivet3919exactly just like Messi it’s like he's recording everything lol

[@BIGSAM-O-A]

100% correct from Henry

[@danielehiagwina]

I've always been an advocate for ball sense before any other attributes in football. Spain is thriving in this regard in the 21st century.

[@user-dq4uf4zw3g]

Pedri assist against PSG ❤😮😮😮

[@cinturoncito]

Second swap on city was not too bad But they were also talking to fantboyant Pep… Second message to him specially… Perfect catenazio executed … Ala Madrid !

[@ricardcorralesoto]

May be not always is a way of win but its a really the best way to understand the football, the beauty of this sport.

[@certinho76]

I fell in love with football because of the 2010 World Cup and Spanish style of play and their players are phenomenal. I love the cerebral style of the Spanish players.

[@Carpe1998]

David Silva un superclase......y nacido en Gran Canaria 👏👏👏👍

[@himdamnself]

No wonder Spainish players are making the best coaches.

[@grishawinner6727]

The English look for Pace and Power The Spanish look for brains & team players The Italians look for durable players The Germans look for technically gifted players The French look for anything & everything 😂

[@weneedareset]

lol

[@MrNeversweat]

English look for popular players media made players

[@Rob93WLR]

France look for frenchs who born and raised in France. Don't forget france have the best training center in the world. all of Europe was inspired by the Clairefontaine Academy. But I think you're too young to know all that. White,black,yellow,red, don't matter. the first civilization in Europe was black Africans, they were the ones who built Europe 45,000 years before J.C. Don't be racist little bro

[@lauramartin-bk9nr]

Historically Germans have valued the capacity for a strong collective sense and a strong physicality.

[@tomashton1265]

and Brazil has all of above and one more...creativity

[@mukiibigriphinemicheal]

Henry really understood Spanish football

[@Javier-lw7ts]

Xabi Alonso is the perfect example of what he is saying. Never a so slow player has been so good. Maybe one of the best midfielders in football history.

[@DrJRL]

Spanish street football and Football Sala is more technical. The latter because the ball is heavier. Many Spanish players if not all will have played Football Sala.

[@mikelgonzalez7465]

Por eso españa es campeona indiscutible de foolbol sala europeos y mundiales, estratosferico ver jugar a los españoles