We’ll soon find out who is officially the best player in Europe and the World, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi vying for the accolades. However, this former Gunner reckons that there’s one player who should have been recognised by now, especially after his heroics in 2005.

Setanta reports that on the eve of the awards ceremony, Thierry Henry has bemoaned the fact that Steven Gerrard has not collected the Ballon D’Or trophy after some fantastic seasons playing for Liverpool. The Frenchman is positively astounded that the scouser didn’t lift the award in 2005 after guiding his team to Champions League success in Istanbul.

“I find it a disgrace that he didn’t win European Footballer of the Year in 2005 after Istanbul. For me, he is one of the best ever.

“Whenever you play Liverpool you know you have to get him out of the game. If not, it’s all over for you.

“He’s a midfielder and if you look at all the important goals he’s scored – well I can’t even think of a striker in the world who has scored as many important goals, never mind a midfielder. How many times has he done it in the dying seconds of a game? I am trying to think of a striker now who does it – there aren’t any. Think about it.

“For me, and I have always said this, he will be regarded as one of the greatest midfielders ever when he finishes his career. No doubt.

Liverpool supporters, do you agree with Henry’s assertion that Gerrard will go down in football folklore when he retires, not just in the Anfield annals of history? The Frenchman certainly appears to be a big fan of the midfielder, who famously nearly made the switch to Chelsea a few seasons ago but decided against it at the last minute.

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