Amandine Henry’s late-career reset in Mexico after years of turmoil | OneFootball

Amandine Henry has found calm in Mexico with Deportivo Toluca, 16 months after leaving France. The 36-year-old, a seven-time Champions League winner with 109 France caps and 14 goals, is enjoying a gentler finale.

"This is not Cancún, Toluca is calm and Mexico City is an hour away, so it suits me," she said. She told L'Équipe she moved in September 2024 on the biggest contract of her career.

After the 2024 Olympics a brief Los Angeles stint felt too bling, Utah Royals took her rights and retirement crossed her mind. An agent’s call for an experienced No six in Mexico sparked a swift switch. "It happened in five days, we left with clothes in the washing machine."

Distance also helps from a painful France saga. In 2020 she used a Canal+ interview to criticise Corinne Diacre, calling the 2019 World Cup chaotic and recalling team-mates, and herself, in tears. She felt trapped, spoke, was dropped for 34 months, and now shrugs, "France and I are a toxic love, we love each other but it does not work".

In Toluca she has juggled roles, helping bring coach Patrice Lair and compatriots, then handing back the armband to focus on playing. The team are in the play-offs before the final round this weekend and she feels good. A new trophy may not come, but she is proud of her career, regrets not winning with France, and hopes for a baby before returning as a sporting director to push better structures.

Source: L'Équipe