Barca praise for Henry
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard believes it was a mark of the man that Thierry Henry pledged his future to Arsenal after they lost the Champions League final.
The Gunners lost 2-1 to Barca last week but were boosted by Henry’s decision to sign a new four-year contract.
The Spanish club were interested in signing the France striker, but Rijkaard said: “To me, Henry appears a sound person who took the decision which he believed was the best.
“It did not surprise me because nothing definite had been decided and it showed his human nature as he wanted to stay with Arsenal after losing a final.
“He did not want to let down the club and I understand that.”
Rijkaard has refused to rule out a move for former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan from Villarreal.
“I do not want to talk about possible signings,” Rijkaard said. “It could be true that Forlan is an objective but that could lead to a lot of misconceptions.”
Former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has left Barcelona this summer to return to Sweden with Helsingborg.
“I do not like the talk of a new Larsson,” Rijkaard said. “Each player has their style of play and we are not putting conditions on a new striker.
“Each player will be brought in because of his qualities and not just to copy someone else.”
