After months of speculation the inevitable happened yesterday, former Arsenal and Barcelona superstar Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

Henry, who has been one of the top footballers in the world during the last decade, is a major acquisition for the Red Bulls, a side that has yet to win the MLS Cup during their 14 year history.

Now, many people already are calling Thierry Henry the next "David Beckham," after the former English captain joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

Of course, Beckham did not live up to expectations before requesting a permanent transfer to AC Milan of Italy in March of 2009, a move that was not accepted by Major League Soccer.

Since then, Beckham rejoined the Galaxy before again going to Milan on loan and tearing his left Achilles tendon, causing Beckham to miss out on the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

However, the American media must be sure not to call Henry the "next Beckham."

For starters, Henry will not continue on his international career by going on loan during the MLS off season, something that Beckham did with Milan during the last several years.

Henry announced yesterday that he is now retired from international football for France.

After that, Henry will not be coming to America to "go on vacation" or become a celebrity like Beckham, but to be a footballer.

Henry said yesterday, "I’m a competitor and I don’t like to lose" when he talked about the possibility of moving to America to vacation.

The next difference between Henry and Beckham is the fact that Henry actually understands what soccer means on the American landscape due to his close friendship with San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker.

He knows what he will need to do to make soccer bigger in America, and he will succeed at doing that.

Henry also is not like David Beckham, as he is a truly gifted goalscorer.

He knows what it takes to score goals and can do it at any time, something that will excite American fans as we move forward.

Henry will also come to MLS looking to prove that last year was a fluke. His last year went downhill after his handball against Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff. Henry then had an abysmal season for Barcelona and France afterward.

Henry will also be going to New York while nearing the age of 33, the same age that Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto joined the New York Cosmos back in the 1970's.

Hopefully Henry will succeed just like those three great players in New York now, as he is a proven winner—he has won a World Cup, a European Championship, the Champions League and has won numerous trophies with Arsenal and Barcelona.

Now, it is time for Henry to win the MLS Cup to add that to the other great trophies he has already won.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here