Football icon honoured for extraordinary career at club and international level.

Thierry Henry

Former Arsenal and France superstar Thierry Henry is set to receive the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

The announcement was confirmed on Wednesday, with the presentation scheduled during Thursday night’s live broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 19:00 GMT.

The 48-year-old, who retired in 2014, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Premier League players of all time. Henry scored 228 goals in 377 appearances across two memorable spells with Arsenal, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer after surpassing Ian Wright in 2005.

During his time in north London, Henry won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, including playing a defining role in the legendary 2003–04 “Invincibles” season, when Arsenal finished the league unbeaten.

Individually, Henry secured the Premier League Golden Boot four times — matching Alan Shearer’s record — and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for six straight seasons, highlighting his dominance in English football.

Reflecting on the honour, Henry said football “gave him everything,” and that receiving the Lifetime Achievement award is something he will “never take for granted.”

He also enjoyed major success on the international stage, helping France win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, firmly cementing his status as a global football icon.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Henry’s legacy built on goals, trophies and unforgettable performances — a career that shaped both Arsenal’s history and the international game.