Henry should have won award, says Cruyff

Johan Cruyff believes this year‘s European Player of the Year award should have gone to France international Thierry Henry.

The legendary Dutch star would have given the Ballon d‘Or (‘Golden Ball‘) awarded by French magazine France Football to the Arsenal player instead of Real Madrid striker Ronaldo.

"He (Henry) is lethal and very intelligent and appears when the team needs him," said Cruyff to Spanish radio station Cope.

The 25-year-old scored 24 goals for Arsenal last season in the Premier League and seven goals in the Champions League.

"Ronaldo had a good World Cup but he has played very few matches this season, whilst Henry has had a fabulous season," added Cruyff, who won the accolade on three occasions (1971, 1973 and 1974).