Thierry Henry hiding in plain sight

Thierry Henry loves living in New York.

He loves walking out of his hotel each morning without running a gauntlet of paparazzi. He loves popping into a pizza parlor and buying a slice without anyone giving him a second look. He even loves taking public transportation in the 90-degree heat, standing elbow to elbow on the PATH train with commuters who have no idea he is one of the most famous athletes on Earth.

"It's kind of cool to be able to live normally," Henry said. "It's something I've always wanted to do."

Across most of the globe, meaning everywhere outside of the United States, Henry is known as a superstar. Think Tiger Woods. Think Roger Federer. The French striker appeared in Gillette razor commercials with both, which might be the one place most Americans can recall seeing him.

Until now. Two weeks ago, Henry signed a four and a half year contact with the New York Red Bulls.

And in his Major League Soccer debut last night, Henry had a pair of assists. He set up Juan Pablo Angel for two goals to give the Red Bulls a 2-2 tie against the Dynamo in Houston. The Red Bulls (8-6-3) got their third tie in four matches to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference. Their next match is at the Chicago Fire next Sunday.

Henry's signing is the biggest MLS grab since the Los Angeles Galaxy acquired David Beckham in 2007. While Beckham - with his famous wife, bodyguards and $26 million mansion - is the perfect star for Los Angeles, Henry - who took the PATH train to his first game in New Jersey - fits right into New York.

Henry is no stranger to the world of celebrity. His girlfriend is a model. He was the best man in NBA star Tony Parker and actress Eva Longoria's wedding. And he likes to pal around with NBA players, including Steve Nash and Rony Turiaf, who was recently acquired by the Knicks. Compared with Beckham, however, Henry is more known for his smooth play on the field than the glitz and glamour off of it.

"He's actually kind of a humble guy and he seems to be here for the right reasons," said Red Bulls teammate and Mineola native Carlos Mendes. "Bringing Thierry here is a great thing for our team and a great thing for soccer in our country."

Henry did not play much during France's short World Cup run. During practice last week he worried about not being in "game shape," though he scored a goal in his first exhibition.

"I'm happy and surprised that he's arrived so fit," said Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said. "It shows a lot of discipline. He's only 32. He can easily play for four or five more yeas. His fit is top class."

Henry, who turns 33 next month, is past his peak, but not so far past it that he can't see the crest of the next wave. Only a year ago, he was starting for Champions League title winner Barcelona.

Henry had done just about everything he wanted to in Europe. He had played for some of the biggest football clubs in the world, including Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona. He was on France's World Cup winners in 1998 and won league titles in France, Spain and England, where he twice was named Player of the Year with Arsenal.

He has also grown weary of leading the life of a famous footballer. Over the past years, headlines had been anything but flattering in the British tabloids, which were obsessed with his messy divorce from English model Claire Merry.

Irish fans labeled him public enemy No. 1 after the hand ball incident that sent France to the World Cup over Ireland. And, shortly after signing with the Bulls, Henry said in an interview on "Good Day New York" that he had grown tired of some of racism that he believe exists among European soccer fans.

"In Europe, the game is a reflection of society," he said. "We have some problems and you can hear it. If you are from another religion or different color or country, you can hear about it."

Henry said he fell in love with New York several years ago, and began spending his vacations here. He said one of the things he likes best about the city is that there is always something going on and that he feels free to partake in it.

Said Henry: "In Europe, I feel like everyone is looking at me. I don't feel like I can be myself. Since I've come here, it's amazing. I can't tell you how great it feels just to be able to walk down the street."