Former Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) ceremony, recognising one of the most influential and decorated careers in football history.

The award will be presented on Thursday evening, with the ceremony broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 19:00 GMT. At 48, Henry joins an elite list of sporting greats whose impact transcends results, statistics, and trophies.

A Career That Redefined Modern Football

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Premier League history, Henry retired from professional football in 2014, leaving behind a legacy defined by elegance, intelligence, and ruthless goal-scoring ability.

Reacting to the honour, Henry said:

“Football has given me everything and I gave it my all. To be recognised as part of its history with this Lifetime Achievement award and to have made my mark for the fans and my team-mates is something I’ll never take for granted.”

Henry’s influence on the modern attacking forward is profound. His blend of pace, technical brilliance, vision, and composure in front of goal helped reshape expectations of what a striker could be.

Arsenal Icon and Record Goalscorer

Henry’s name is inseparable from Arsenal Football Club, where he enjoyed two spells and became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. He netted 228 goals in 377 appearances, surpassing club legend Ian Wright in 2005.

During his time in north London, Henry won:

• Two Premier League titles
• Three FA Cups
• The historic 2003–04 “Invincibles” season, when Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the league campaign

Individually, Henry’s achievements were equally remarkable. He won the Premier League Golden Boot four times, was named in the PFA Team of the Year six consecutive seasons, and still shares the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season (20) alongside Kevin De Bruyne.

Success on the International Stage With France

Born in Les Ulis, a suburb of Paris, Henry rose to global prominence with the France national team. He was part of the squad that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, followed by victory at Euro 2000, cementing France’s dominance at the turn of the millennium.

Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for France, becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer until Olivier Giroud overtook him in 2022. His performances on the international stage further reinforced his reputation as one of football’s greatest forwards.

Champions League Glory With Barcelona

After eight seasons at Arsenal, Henry joined Barcelona in 2007, where he enjoyed one of the most successful periods of his career. In 2009, he won the historic treble—La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League—under Pep Guardiola.

Barcelona’s Champions League final victory over Manchester United in Rome marked another career highlight, confirming Henry’s ability to thrive at the very highest level of European football.

Emotional Arsenal Return and Retirement

Henry later joined New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer before making a brief but unforgettable return to Arsenal on loan in 2012. On his first appearance back, he scored the winning goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup, a moment that remains iconic among Arsenal supporters.

He retired from professional football in 2014, ending a career that spanned two decades at the elite level.

Transition to Punditry and Coaching

Following retirement, Henry moved into football punditry, working with BBC Sport during Euro 2016. He also began developing his coaching career, first as an assistant to Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez in 2016.

Henry later took on managerial roles at Monaco and Montreal Impact, before returning to the international scene. In 2023, he was appointed France Under-21s head coach and led France’s Olympic team to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Games, losing narrowly to Spain in the final.

Recognition Among Sporting Legends

Henry follows Sir Mark Cavendish, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. Other past recipients include Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Chris Hoy, David Beckham, and Billie Jean King.

BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski praised Henry’s enduring influence:

“Thierry Henry redefined what it meant to be a modern footballer. His brilliance combined elegance with ruthless excellence, inspiring generations of players and fans. His legacy extends far beyond goals.”

A Lasting Legacy

From Highbury to the world stage, Thierry Henry’s career has shaped football culture across generations. His Lifetime Achievement Award is not just recognition of trophies and goals, but of a player whose style, intelligence, and love for the game changed how football is played and understood.