Today, he gets the same response just by walking the touchline.

Unsolicited, though a pleasant surprise nonetheless, the Confederations Cup has conferred the unofficial title of national treasure on Henry by an adoring French public.

The striker's name is sure to be greeted with the biggest roar by the Paris crowd before Thursday's semi-final against Turkey as the host nation turns to another born winner in the absence of Zinedine Zidane.

Just as the Real Madrid playmaker was the face of the 1998 World Cup, even before his two goals in the final against Brazil, Henry is seen as the one man who can restore national pride after the debacle of their 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

He gave France an ideal start to the Confederations Cup by converting a penalty for their 1-0 victory over Colombia in Group A and was back on the scoresheet in their 5-0 drubbing of New Zealand, when FIFA voted him Man of the Match.

More significant for his personal appeal, though, was the knife-edge 2-1 victory over Japan, in which he made only a cameo appearance for the final 10 minutes.

CALL HENRY

As France struggled in St Etienne, the Stade Geoffroy Guichard crowd chanted his name, imploring coach Jacques Santini to send Henry into the fray.

Just after halftime, the crowd erupted with the same volume that had accompanied Robert Pires's penalty conversion. Henry had merely appeared on the touchline in his tracksuit.

Though already idolised by the red-and-white side of north London, the Arsenal striker whose goals have brought his club two FA Cups and a league title in the last two years, has been taken aback by his new status in his home country.

"I really don't know where it comes from," he told reporters near Paris as he prepared for Thursday's game at the Stade de France.

"I'm not doing anything different to what I usually do and I'm behaving the same way I always do.

"That said," he added candidly. "I really like it."

Surprisingly, that view changes though at the mere mention of the game at St Etienne.

"It made me feel awkward, for my friends out there on the pitch," said the 25-year-old. "The crowd were chanting my name but I wasn't even playing. And I know how unpleasant that can be.

"I remember a (1998) World Cup game we played at Lens against Paraguay. I hit the post and the crowd started calling for (Tony) Vairelles. He wasn't even in the team, but because he played for Lens, people wanted him out there.

"At the time, I didn't appreciate it."

On Thursday, Henry will be back in the thick of the action, looking to continue the scoring run of eight goals in 11 games which has so endeared him to French soccer fans.

A place in the final beckons and Turkey are certain to be all too well aware of Henry's presence at the Stade de France -- on, or off the pitch.