Former Arsenal and France forward Thierry Henry will be celebrated with the Lifetime Achievement award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.
The 48-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Premier League history, called time on his playing career in 2014. He is due to receive the honour at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year event on Thursday, which will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 19:00 GMT.
Reflecting on the recognition, Henry said football had given him everything and he had always given his maximum in return. He described the award as a special moment, adding that being acknowledged for his impact on fans and team-mates was something he would always treasure.
Henry remains Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 228 goals in 377 appearances across two spells at the club. He surpassed Ian Wright’s long-standing record in 2005. During his time in north London, he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, including the historic 2003–04 season when Arsenal completed an entire league campaign unbeaten as the famous “Invincibles”.
Individually, the striker claimed the Premier League Golden Boot four times, a record he shares with other greats, and was selected in the PFA Team of the Year for six consecutive seasons. He also holds the joint record for most assists in a single Premier League season, registering 20 alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to British cycling icon Sir Mark Cavendish in 2024. Previous recipients include sporting legends such as Billie Jean King, Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Sir David Beckham, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Sir Chris Hoy.
Born in Les Ulis, a suburb of Paris, Henry enjoyed major success on the international stage with France. He was part of the squad that lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1998 and played a key role in their European Championship triumph two years later. With 51 goals in 123 appearances, he was France’s record scorer until Olivier Giroud overtook his tally in 2022.
One of the most controversial moments of his international career came during World Cup qualifying in 2009, when his handball in extra time preceded William Gallas’ decisive goal against the Republic of Ireland. The incident sealed France’s place at the 2010 World Cup finals and ended Ireland’s qualification hopes.
After eight seasons with Arsenal, Henry joined Barcelona in 2007 and enjoyed further success, winning the treble of La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in 2009. Barcelona defeated Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome that year.
Henry later moved to Major League Soccer with New York Red Bulls in 2010, before making an emotional return to Arsenal on a short loan spell in 2012. On his first appearance back at the club, he scored the winning goal against Leeds United, and he added another dramatic stoppage-time winner against Sunderland in his final outing for the Gunners.
Following his retirement in 2014, Henry moved into punditry and worked with BBC Sport during Euro 2016. He also began his coaching journey, serving as assistant to Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez from 2016.
In October 2018, Henry was appointed head coach of Monaco, though his spell with the Ligue 1 side lasted just three months. He later took charge of MLS club Montreal Impact in 2019, leaving the role in 2021 to return to Europe.
Henry was named head coach of France’s Under-21 side in 2023 and went on to lead the national Olympic team at the Paris 2024 Games. France finished with a silver medal after losing to Spain in the final.
This year’s awards shortlist panel included former rugby international Maggie Alphonsi, ex-England footballer Anita Asante, Paralympic champion Libby Clegg, former world boxing champion Carl Frampton and World Cup-winning cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent. Media figures such as Josh Denzel, Kelly Cates, Riath Al-Samarrai and Molly Hudson were also involved, alongside senior BBC executives.
BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski praised Henry’s lasting impact, saying the Frenchman redefined the role of the modern footballer. He highlighted Henry’s blend of elegance and ruthless efficiency, as well as his influence on players, fans and football culture worldwide, describing him as a fully deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award.
