Was having a debate about where all time great footballers are ranked. We were ranking players into tier’s (as opposed to best XI) and there was a debate as to where Henry should go. Bear in mind this is only for forward players as CMs should have their own etc (PS this list only includes players who played since 2000 and are at least 30);
Top tier (GOATs) - R9, CR7, Messi (they can’t be included because of their era but for reference this would include the likes of Pele and Maradona)
2nd tier (All time) - Ronaldinho (prime), Suarez etc
3rd tier (Generational) - Benzema, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Kane, Bergkamp, Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic, Neymar etc
4th tier (World class) - Van Persie, Griezmann, Drogba, Torres, Falcao, Villa, Tevez, Eto’o
The argument was over whether Henry belongs in the top tier or the 2nd tier. Imo I think he’s somewhere between the top 2. I would have put him up there with the absolute GOATs except for the fact that his era ended just as the Messi/Ronaldo era began which dwarves his achievements (and the fact he was never properly appreciated outside of England during his time).
The man’s goal involvements were unreal, his goal + assist rate was up there with the very best to have ever played. He won everything there was to win too. I think someone like Luis Suarez was a phenomenal player, but he’s not Henry.
The only other player I Ronaldinho too was a phenomenal talent (but I place him below the GOATs because he never played to his potential which says a lot about his sheer talent).
I just really struggle to put the likes of Henry and Ronaldinho with those other players. In terms of feats and achievements they just stand out too much (hence why I made that system, to recognise players who aren’t top tier, but are better than the rest).
Mbappe and Haaland are too young for me to include but could end up at the very top who knows.