France 2002 Home Shirt - Henry No. 12 (S)

I found no flaw on the fabric: the blue is deep and even, the open knit is intact with no snags or pilling, and the red mesh side panels are untouched. The embroidered cockerel and its star are flawless. The HENRY 12 lettering, on the back and the front, is smooth and sharp. Only the inner labels have been cut off (see the box below).

Unsure about the size? This S measures 48 x 65 cm: compare with the flat measurements below, or check my size guide.

Flat measurements

A short S, typical of the cuts of the time: it falls at the waist. Lay a shirt that fits you well flat, measure it the same way and compare.

Key facts about this piece

The inner labels were cut off by a previous owner: only their base remains, sewn into the seam (photo 4), so the product code can no longer be read. My authentication here relies on the construction of the shirt, detailed below. The fabric itself is like new.

✦ Lifetime authenticity guarantee

Hand-checked in my authentication workshop. If a piece bought from me ever turned out not to be authentic, I refund it in full. No expiry: only original pieces, never modern re-editions.

• Embroidered FFF crest: gold-thread cockerel with red comb, framed F.F.F. letters and a separate gold star above, dense and even embroidery (photo 3)
• adidas neck label: woven label with the adidas logo of the era and the small flags of the sales countries (photo 3)
• Knit: open knit with small holes across the body, red mesh side panels showing through the blue (photo 2)
• Cut and finishing: raglan sleeves, ribbed V-neck, blue-white-red stripes on the shoulders, white embroidered adidas logo (photos 2 and 3)

Henry, from Seoul to the Confederations Cup

France arrived in Asia as world and European champions, with a single star above the crest and Thierry Henry, the Premier League's top scorer, leading the line. He wore number 12, his number with the national team since 1998.

June 2002: a defeat to Senegal (0-1), a draw with Uruguay (0-0) in which Henry was sent off, then a defeat to Denmark (0-2). Les Bleus went out in the group stage without scoring.

29 June 2003: a year later, France won the Confederations Cup at Saint-Denis against Cameroon (1-0). Henry, who scored the golden goal, was named best player and top scorer of the tournament.

This shirt tells both sides of the same generation: the fall of 2002 and the immediate rebound of 2003.

Frequently asked questions