Henry happy he stayed on at Barcelona

After winning Champions League, Thierry Henry feels his decision to stay on at Barca after a torrid first season is vindicated

Henry happy he stayed on at Barcelona

After winning Champions League, Thierry Henry feels his decision to stay on at Barca after a torrid first season is vindicated

Barcelona's Thierry Henry lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy after the victory over Manchester United in Rome on Wednesday. PIC/AFP

The France international recovered from a knee injury to play in the Champions League Final on Wednesday night, and achieved one of his career goals by winning the European title as Barcelona secured a 2-0 triumph over Manchester United.

"I didn't arrive at Barcelona just to win the Champions League but to win everything. 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. 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. 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.

Lucky Rome
"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. The whole team played well. 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," the Frenchman said.

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