Thierry Henry Joins MLS With New York Red Bulls, Not Another Beckham Deal

The announcement came, finally. Former Arsenal, Barcelona and France standout Thierry Henry signed “a multiyear deal” to join the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, becoming the first true superstar to enter the league since the Designated Player Rule was expanded. He will debut against his former rivals Tottenham in a July 22 friendly. This will be criticized as another Beckham deal, but isn’t. Signing Henry could have a far more lasting effect.

Beckham and Henry are stars, but not in the same way. Henry is a soccer star. Beckham is a star who plays soccer. Beckham is a managed brand, entirely inorganic. His career has been a Hills episode since moving to Los Angeles. Henry is far more low key. He does his share of endorsements, but he doesn’t have Simon Fuller whispering in his ear. He’s not in the U.S. to aggrandize his fame. He’s here to get away from it.

Henry is more accessible than Beckham was, and so is his game. He’s Sportscenter-friendly. He’s the flashy, flair player stardom would lead you to expect. He is creative. He has tremendous skill. He scores great goals. Beckham’s brilliance is subtle. He does things everyone else can do with remarkable precision. Henry is more obvious. He’s an attraction. He does things no one else can do.