CAN 2025: Thierry Henry criticizes the refereeing and Senegal’s behavior during the final.

While praising the tournament’s exemplary organization in Morocco, the French legend, Thierry Henry, regretted the incidents in the final and felt that the refereeing was not up to the level of the spectacle.

The Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, spoke about the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which ended on Sunday, delivering an analysis that was both laudatory and critical of the tournament. Invited on CBS Sports Golazo, the former France international first praised the organization of the competition in Morocco. “The Africa Cup of Nations was exceptional. Morocco has done a remarkable job in terms of infrastructure, stadiums and hotels,” he noted, before mentioning the final won by Senegal against the host country.

Henry nevertheless returned to the incidents that marred the end of the match, notably the Teranga Lions’ attempt to leave the field after a controversial refereeing decision. “The reaction of the Senegalese team, which wanted to leave the field, was inappropriate. This is not the image we want to give, neither to African football, nor to football in general,” he said.

While acknowledging the players’ frustration, the former France international striker judged the attitude excessive. “I can understand the frustration, but that is not what we wanted to see. Sadio Mané reminded his teammates, and the situation calmed down after Brahim Díaz’s missed penalty,” he recalled.

Finally, Thierry Henry pointed the finger at the refereeing, which he considers out of step with the level of the spectacle offered. “The problem isn’t the referee, but the training. Referees aren’t always up to the level of football we see today,” he concluded.