Thierry Henry Retires from International Soccer

"That was my last game against South Africa," he said. "Ironically, my first game for the national team was also against South Africa." He said he had already decided to stop playing for France before the finals, but added: "I couldn't announce it beforehand because that's not the type of thing you do before a World Cup."

Career high: Henry was at his peak when Arsenal went the entire Premier League season unbeaten in 2003-04, scoring a highly impressive 30 goals in 37 league appearances and being named both PFA Players' Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year.

Career low: Becoming a target for venomous criticism and a national hate figure in Ireland when he committed a blatant handball before squaring for William Gallas to score the goal that took France to the World Cup finals.

Style: Flamboyant, prolific, complete, a once-in-a-generation striker.