Olympic aspirant Maghnes Akliouche discusses the impact of Thierry Henry as the coach of the France Under-21 team.

Maghnes Akliouche, the talented midfielder for Monaco, has expressed his admiration for Thierry Henry and the impact he has had as the manager of France’s Under-21 team. Akliouche describes Henry’s words as “gold” and values the advice he receives from the former Arsenal forward.

Henry took charge of the U21 side in August 2023, following his role as an assistant coach for Belgium’s senior team. In addition to his duties with the U21s, Henry will also manage the French team in the Under-23 football event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Akliouche hopes to secure a spot in the squad.

At just 22 years old, Akliouche has been enjoying a breakthrough season with Monaco, who currently sit in second place in Ligue 1 and are on track to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. He credits Henry for providing valuable advice both on and off the pitch, thanks to his experience as a player and coach.

Akliouche emphasizes the importance of Henry’s guidance, stating that his words carry weight and should be heeded. He also acknowledges Henry’s understanding of the needs of young players, as he provides them with the necessary attention and advice. Akliouche appreciates the support and considers it crucial for his development.

France is considered one of the favorites to win the Olympic men’s football tournament, especially with the advantage of playing in front of a home crowd. Many players from Henry’s U21 squad are hopeful of being selected for the Games.

Akliouche expresses his excitement about the prospect of participating in such a prestigious competition, describing it as a potential milestone in his career. He is particularly thrilled that the event will take place in France, specifically in Paris. If given the opportunity to be part of the squad, he would be overjoyed and believes it will be an unforgettable experience.

However, Henry will face the challenge of selecting only 18 players for his Olympic squad, along with four reserves. He is allowed to include three players over the age of 23, and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has expressed his desire to play at the Games. However, Mbappe’s rumored move to Real Madrid and his potential inclusion in the France squad for Euro 2024 could complicate matters.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding Mbappe’s availability, Akliouche remains optimistic and eagerly anticipates the possibility of playing alongside one of the world’s best players. He believes that Mbappe’s presence would greatly benefit the team, both on and off the pitch, and they are closely monitoring his situation.

The football event at the Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 10, and fans can expect an exciting tournament filled with promising young talents and experienced stars.