Football

Thierry Henry, the legendary French striker, has decided to step down as coach of the France under-21 football team. The French Football Federation (FFF) announced the news on Monday, citing "personal reasons" for Henry's departure.Henry took over the reins of the French youth side last summer, signing a contract until June 2025. Under his guidance, the under-23 team achieved a remarkable feat by securing a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marked the first time since 1984 that France had reached the final of an Olympic men's football tournament.Despite the team's success, Henry has opted to step away from his coaching role. In a statement released by the FFF, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the French youth teams. "Winning an Olympic silver medal for my country will remain one of the proudest moments of my life," Henry said. "I'm incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff, and the fans for giving me this magical experience."FFF President Philippe Diallo thanked Henry for his contributions to the French football program. "We obviously regret this decision, as Thierry Henry was able to achieve the objectives set for him by winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris," Diallo said. "His professionalism, rigor, and love for the blue jersey were evident throughout his campaign."Henry's departure leaves a void in the French coaching ranks. The FFF will now begin the search for a new coach to lead the under-21 team.

Zico's Paris Ordeal: Stolen Bag, Olympic Flame's ArrivalFormer Brazilian football legend Zico has become the victim of a theft in Paris, with his bag containing valuables worth hundreds of thousands of euros stolen. The incident occurred while Zico, 71, was in transit, leaving his car window open. The stolen items included cash, watches, and diamond jewelry.While the Parisien daily reported the value of the stolen goods at 500,000 euros ($542,000), a source close to the matter has disputed this figure as highly exaggerated. Zico, a three-time World Cup participant, is currently in Paris as a guest of the Brazilian Olympic team ahead of the 2024 Games.Meanwhile, the Olympic flame made its grand entrance into Paris on Friday, carried by a white-clad bearer on a diesel-belching tug. The flame had previously been carried by US rapper Snoop Dogg and passed under the peripherique motorway.The 68th stage of the relay, entitled the "Epilogue," marked the flame's final journey before the Games. It had previously passed through Paris on Bastille Day and July 15 before circling the suburbs.Earlier in the day, the flame visited the athletes' village, where International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took turns as torchbearers. Athletes from around the world captured the moment on their phones, expressing awe and excitement.The flame's journey continued through Saint-Denis, where rapper MC Solaar carried it, and stopped at the Stade de France, where Snoop Dogg took his turn. It then boarded a series of canal boats, cruising past factories and housing blocks to Paris, accompanied by spectators, security, and even canoeists in fancy dress.The relay toured the Parc de la Villette and the Parc des Nations, housing the "clubhouses" of various countries. It then took to the water again, cruising down the Canal de l'Ourcq towards the Canal Saint-Martin and the Seine.

Football ignited the flame of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Tuesday, with Spain and Argentina, the reigning FIFA World Cup and Copa America champions, respectively, taking center stage in Paris and Saint-Etienne.At Parc des Princes in western Paris, Spain faced Uzbekistan, while Argentina, without Lionel Messi, encountered Morocco at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne. Spain's Marc Pubill etched his name in history by scoring the first goal of the Summer Games in the 29th minute.FIFA president Gianni Infantino graced the occasion, meeting players before the Uzbekistan-Spain match at Parc des Princes, the former home of Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.As the beautiful game kickstarted the action-packed Summer Olympics in Paris, let's delve into the world of football and highlight some of the biggest names vying for Olympic gold:Marta (Brazil)Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, Marta, is set to retire from international football after the Paris Games. The 38-year-old legend captains the Selecao and holds the distinction of being the first footballer to score in five consecutive Olympic Games.Aitana Bonmati (Spain)Spain, the reigning world champions, boast Aitana Bonmati, the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner, as their star player. The European giants are making their debut in women's football at the Summer Games in Paris, having lost only twice in 14 matches since their historic FIFA World Cup triumph over England.Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi is a prominent figure at the Summer Olympics. The 25-year-old led Morocco to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and has opted to miss PSG's pre-season preparations to compete in the Games.Alexandre Lacazette (France)Thierry Henry's choice to lead France in the Summer Games is Alexandre Lacazette. The former Arsenal forward has not played for France since 2017 but has been an impressive force for Lyon, scoring 22 goals in 35 games last season.Julian Alvarez (Argentina)Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez arrives in Paris after a stellar season with Pep Guardiola's side. The 22-year-old was instrumental in Manchester City's Premier League triumph and also lifted the Copa America with Argentina.