Former Arsenal man Henry takes churlish swipe at Chicharito
France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has taken a churlish swipe at Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez for the way he celebrated his dramatic winner in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
The Mexico international scored Madrid's winner with just two minutes left on the clock and wheeled away in celebration after months of frustration sitting on the Blancos bench since his season-long loan move from Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo set up the striker with a crucial assists and Henry, as a pundit on Sky Sports in the UK, said Hernandez was wrong to celebrate as he did and should have instead celebrated with his Portuguese team-mate.
"He saw a guy in a better position, which Hernandez was, and he gave him the ball, so that is Ronaldo’s goal," said the Frenchman. "What I don’t like is that he celebrates like he has just won the World Cup. It’s a tap in. Turn around and celebrate with Ronaldo. He knew he had to perform and he had a couple of chances to do it. Even the camera knew, the camera is on Ronaldo for a reason."
Hernandez spoke about his frustration at sitting on Madrid's bench during the last international break and that spilled out with his celebration.
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher was alongside Henry as a pundit and defended Madrid's 'Little Pea', saying Ronaldo would have done the same in his situation.
"He took a penalty in the final last year to make it 4-1, he takes his top off and becomes the picture the next day," said Carragher.