Henry was judged that year on his performances in European competition and he floundered big time in terms of sheer numbers.
We were eliminated in the second group stage in the 02/03 CL. He managed 1 goal in 3 CL games in the first half of 2003. And in the second half (the 03/04 season) by the time the shortlist had been compiled on 11 November he’d played 4 CL games and managed 1 goal.
I can understand why on pure numbers Henry is the runaway winner but his failure to deliver in the biggest competition in the world.
He managed a solitary goal in our FA Cup campaign in 2003 too (the 2-2 draw with Chelsea).
I don’t think there was much uproar at the time about Nedved being crowned the winner. I think Zidane winning the 2003 FIFA award was a bigger issue than Nedved winning the Ballon d’Or. The fact that Nedved wasn’t in the running in 2003 for the FIFA world player was ridiculous and the top 3 didn’t even make sense. Everyone knows I love R9 but he didn’t deserve to be in the running and neither did Zidane.
Had Henry won it we would all agree he deserved it but I don’t think it’s the robbery people make it out to be just because of how ineffectual Henry was in Europe.
Using the opportunity, here’s what I have watched so far (top of my head)
Dragonball Z
Pokemon
Digimon
Beyblade
Death Note
Fullmetal Alchemist
Naruto
Some fishing anime
Law of Ueki
Detective school Q
Conan
BlueLock
Koruko Basketball
Aoi Ashito
Haikyo
Captain Tsubasa
Hungry Heart
Samurai X
Demon Slayer
One Piece
Berserk
Castlevania
Vinland Saga
Dr Stone
Seven deadly sins
Attack on titans
Animes are such good fun. I wonder why I waste my time with football.
Anyone with a young child should sit and watch Naruto with their child to give them a window to world politics and power dynamics.
Good anime which doesn’t get enough credit for it’s message for peace.
