LONDON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Football legend Johan Cruyff has claimed that striker Thierry Henry may live to regret his decision to snub Barcelona and stay at Arsenal.

    The Catalan giants hoped to clinch a deal for Henry after beating Arsenal 2-1 in the Champions League final.

    But Henry, 28, opted to sign a new four-year contract at Arsenal, a move heavily criticized by Cruyff.

    The former Nou Camp legend said: "In the cold light of day, without looking inside his head, I think that he has made a mistake."

    Cruyff added: "He has taken a decision in the heat of the moment when you should make them with a lot of consideration.

    "With his track record of what he has achieved in France and England it only lacked a spell in Spain to give him the rubber stamp. This spell could have been at Barcelona.

    "There are big decisions to be made in every footballer's career. This was the moment in Henry's life, not just as a player but as a man. He could look back and regret it.

    "Barca would have changed him. Henry would have had a big opportunity at the biggest club in the world to make himself regarded as the best player in the world.

    "There would have been pressure on Henry. Everyone would have been looking to see how good his football was with the biggest club in the world but now we will never know. It is a pity. They wanted him."

    Cruyff believes Barca will find it difficult to defend their European and Spanish crowns next season.

    He said: "Next year everything starts again from zero, nothing has been won and it is easier to arrive than to maintain success.

    "For this reason it would have been good that Henry signed because he is a great player." Enditem