Put in the hours and always think of others, Thierry Henry advises Hong Kong youngsters
Legendary French and Arsenal striker also tells 600 pupils at UBS event at Hong Kong Jockey Club to evolve and be open to advice.
French football legend Thierry Henry has urged the younger generation to put in the hours and to put others ahead of themselves if they want to be successful in whatever they are pursuing.
Speaking to 600 pupils aged 10 to 18 at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre on Tuesday, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star also advised them to evolve as they grow, and to be open to advice.
A prolific striker who retained his composure in front of goal, Henry said confidence was all down to working hard and repeating drills in training.
“Repetition creates habits, it brings that instinct you saw [in me],” said the 48-year-old. “If you saw me when I was young, you’d laugh because I was never hitting the target.
“What I did have was a work ethic; I worked hard with or without a goalkeeper or a coach, on rainy or snowy days, field or not field. Even when I mastered [my finishing skill], I was still working at it … It’s instinctive that you will do it because of what you did before; it will come naturally. I was composed [in front of a goal] but that came after hours and hours of failure.”
Appearing at the UBS Asian Investment Conference in Hong Kong, the Frenchman also said reflecting on himself while also always thinking of others was the one most important lesson he had learned and which still helps him to this day.