Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry carried the Olympic torch through Paris on Sunday.
The 46-year-old will manage the French men’s football team at this summer’s Olympic Games in his home city.
France will face the USA, Guinea and New Zealand in the group stage of the tournament, which will begin on July 24 and end on August 9.
Henry geared up for the big kick-off by jogging, with torch in hand, past some of the most iconic landmarks in Paris and along the Champs-Elysees.
Sunday’s torch tour began earlier in the day at a traditional military parade to celebrate Bastille Day.
Thierry Henry carried the Olympic torch along the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday
Henry, pictured waving at fans, will manage the French team in the men’s football event
Henry said after his leg was over: ‘It’s not something you turn down, on our national day, on the Champs-Elysees, the Olympics in Paris. Just extraordinary.’
Former striker Henry has named an 18-man squad for the Olympics.
As per tournament rules, only three of his squad members are aged over 23.
Those senior players are Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Sevilla’s Loic Bade and Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette, who will captain the team.
Michael Olise, who recently moved from Palace to Bayern Munich, is also among the 18, which does not include any players who represented France at Euro 2024.
Former striker Henry rubbed shoulders with president of the Paris 2024 organising Committee Tony Estanguet (left) and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo (centre)
Henry dressed all in white during the event, which took place amid Bastille Day celebrations
Henry appeared to enjoy himself and later described his experience as ‘just extraordinary’
Henry represented France 123 times at senior International level between 1997 and 2010.
He scored 51 goals for Les Bleus and was part of teams that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk