After Antoine Griezman, Amandine Henry has just announced the end of her career, her retirement from the French team. The 35-year-old from Lille communicated her decision this Sunday, October 13 on social networks. But she will continue to play in clubs in Mexico. With 109 caps in 15 years, Amandine Henry has left her mark on French women’s football.
This announcement is not really a surprise. Amandine Henrylike her teammates on the French team, came out of the Paris Olympic Games deeply frustrated. The Blues were ingloriously eliminated by Brazil in the quarter-finals of an Olympic tournament that they hoped to win. But in a message on social networks, the Northerner recalled her attachment to the French team, with which she has never won anything.
I had the immense honor of wearing this jersey…
“After so many years of passion, challenges and unforgettable memories, it is time for me to turn the page. It is with immense emotion that I announce my decision to end my career with the French team”writes the former player from Lomme, Lambersart and Hénin-Beaumont.
“I had the immense honor of wearing this jersey, the pride of defending our colors with fervor and the happiness of sharing unforgettable moments with my teammates”
This message is accompanied by a 1’30 video full of emotion. This clip summarizes the career of the northern player from her beginnings as a little girl on the fields of the Lille metropolis, until her last match with the Blue at the Olympics. With a big “Thank you” to end.
A career in contrasting blue
However, his career in blue has not always been… rosy. Amandine Henry thus experienced two enormous holes. From 2010 to 2013, coach Bruno Bini had dismissed him for extra-sporting reasons (conflict with a teammate). Rebelote in 2020-2023, where the omnipotent Corinne Deacona Northerner like her, had plastered him for having questioned his authoritarian management. On this occasion, Amandine, then captain of the French team, showed enormous courage in the face of the silence expressed by the coach, including by the FFF which only reacted very (too?) late, once Noël Le Graët party.
In the meantime, Henry had still had a good time with the France team. The highlight was an exceptional 2015 World Cup. She won the silver ball, which designates the 2nd best player in the tournament. It was at the time of Philippe Bergeroowho had put his foot back in the stirrup, before entrusting him with the captaincy of the Bleues.
In the absence of a title with the national team, the Lille midfielder has still built an immense record at club level, mainly with Olympique Lyonnais. 9 French championship titles, 5 French Cups and 3 Champions Leagues between 2008 and 2016, with the best team in Europe at the time.
She then attempted several adventures abroad, with varying degrees of success. In the United States with Portland Thorns (2016-2017), Angel City (2023-2024) et Utah Royals (2024). Now it’s in Mexico, Deportivo Deluca that Lille plays, after a brief missed stint this winter at LOSC, following an expulsion. The club of her heart where she hopes to one day end her career.
Unanimous tributes
Reactions have been pouring in since the announcement of Amandine Henry’s international retirement. “ Beyond the statistics and a journey made of tenacity and investment, I wanted to underline the professionalism, the collective spirit and the self-sacrifice of a player who knew how to win the respect of all and the love of the supporters »thus declares Philippe Diallo. The president of the FFF also announces that a tribute will be paid to him during an upcoming match of the French team.
The new national coach Laurent Bonadei goes in the same direction. “Amandine has chosen to end her international adventure and I take note of her decision. She can leave the French team with a legitimate feeling of pride. His longevity, more than a hundred selections with the blue jersey, testifies to a considerable attachment. Amandine has spent twenty years in the selection since her debut in U17, in 2004. She has experienced a lot of emotions with the French team. Everything wasn’t always easy but she never gave up.«
National team players also paid tribute to her. “ Thank you for everything you have brought to our country”wrote to him Selma Bacha. “You can be proud of yourself” add Amel Majri. “Respect for everything you have accomplished with the French team“, also reacted Eve perished.
In short, even if her playing career is not yet over, Amandine Henry will leave a big mark in the history of French women’s football.
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