<text>  Thierry Henry has claimed he was unfairly hounded for the infamous handball that cost the Republic of Ireland a place at the 2010 World Cup while Lionel Messi was labelled a genius after a similar incident. The France striker used his hand to control a cross before setting up William Gallas to score the 103rd-minute goal that took France to the finals in South Africa at Irelands expense. Henry, then a Barcelona player, was heavily criticised for his actions at the time but has pointed out the contrasting reaction when his former Nou Camp team-mate Messi scored with his hand against Espanyol in 2007. Thierry Henry controls the ball with his hand to set up a goal for William Gallas in Frances World Cup 2010 play-off with the Republic of Ireland in November 2009 . Henry claims he was vilified after the incident, claiming the reaction was as if hed killed someone Henry, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, claims he was unfairly criticised over his handball . The Arsenal legend told Canal Plus: You are talking about people I spent so many times on the pitch with. I just said to them, Yes, it was hand, Im sorry. And you know what? They told me: We dont blame you. I saw Liam Brady, the Arsenal legend, and he asked me: Did you touch it with your hand? And I answered, Yes, it was my hand. I spoke to the press that night. I could have ignored them but I didnt. I spoke honestly - it was a reflex. A reflex by a competitor, just like when you reach out for the ball on the line when your goalkeeper is beaten. When I see Messi scoring against Espanyol, diving to touch the ball with his hand, people say, What a genius, now he is closer than ever to Maradona. But when it was me, it was like I had killed someone. Lionel Messi scored a goal with his hand in Barcelonas league match with Espanyol back in June 2007 . Diego Maradonas infamous Hand of God moment against England at the 1986 World Cup . The 37-year-old, who is now a pundit on Sky Sports, left Barcelona for New York Red Bulls shortly after the handball controversy, which occurred in a qualification play-off, second leg at the Stade de France in Paris. But Henry denies that the storm of criticism following the handball was behind his move. I have always wanted to go there, he said. Anyone who knows me would tell you that. Also, to escape what? To escape who? I wanted to go as soon as 2009, but I didnt because I kept playing with the national team. That is total rubblish. 