HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Jim Courier, Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Daniel Guiza, Phil Jagielka

Jim Courier

Jim Courier is 43 years old today. He is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won four Grand Slam singles titles, two at the French Open and two at the Australian Open. He is the last man to win those grand-slams back-to-back. He holds the record for being the youngest man to have reached the finals of all four Grand Slam singles tournaments, at the age of 22 years and 11 months. He also won five Masters 1000 series titles.

Thierry Henry



Thierry Henry is 36 today. He is a French footbaler who plays for New York Red Bulls. It was in Arsenal that Henry made his name where he was voted the club's greatest ever player in 2008 and hes arguably the best player in the history of the Barclay's Premier League. Vava Voom is also France's all time leading scorer with 51 goals.

Here is why pundits of the game regard Henry as one of the best strikers in the history of football, focusing on his individual awards;

UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (1): 1996–97
PFA Players' Player of the Year (2): 2002–03, 2003–04
PFA Team of the Year (6): 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
FWA Footballer of the Year (3): 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06
Premier League Golden Boot (4): 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06.
Golden Boot Landmark Award 10 (1): 2004–05
Golden Boot Landmark Award 20 (1): 2004–05
Premier League Player of the Month (4): April 2000, September 2002, January 2004, April 2004
Goal of the Season (1): 2002–03
UEFA Team of the Year (5): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
MLS Best XI (2): 2011, 2012
MLS Player of the Month (1): March 2012
Best MLS Player ESPY Award (1): 2013
Onze d'Or (2): 2003, 2006
European Golden Boot (2): 2003–04, 2004–05
French Player of the Year (5): 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer of the Year (1): 2003
FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2006
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1): Germany 2006
FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball (1): France 2003
FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe (1): France 2003
UEFA European Football Championship Team of the Tournament (1): 2000
FIFA 100 : 2004
Time 100 Heroes & Pioneers no.16 : 2007
English Football Hall of Fame : 2008
Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992–93 – 2001–02)
Overseas Team of the Decade
Premier League 20 Seasons Awards
Fantasy Team (Panel choice)
Fantasy Team (Public choice)

William Gallas



William Gallas is 36 today. He's often teased as a football twin of Thierry Henry as they were both born on the same day, same month, same, year and same country. They are also both graduates of French football academy at Clairefontaine. The defender also played for Arsenal and went on to captain the team after just one season in the club.

William Gallas who is currently a free agent after Tottenham released him this summer, has a remarkable sum of 84 caps for the French National team.

Daniel Güiza



Daniel Güiza is 33 years old today. He is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Cerro Porteño in Paraguay, as a striker.

He came to limelight at the age of 27, being crowned La Liga top scorer with Mallorca. Subsequently he helped the Spanish national team win the Euro 2008 and signed with Fenerbahçe in Turkey shortly afterwards.

Over the course of eight seasons Güiza amassed Spanish top division totals of 141 games and 52 goals, mainly with Mallorca and Getafe.

Phil Jagielka



Phil Jagielka is 31 today. He is an English professional footballer who plays for and captains Everton as a defender. Jagielka started his career with Sheffield United, joining current team, Everton, in 2007 for a fee of £4 million. He is a former England under-21 international, having been capped six times and scoring two goals for the team. He has also gained recognition for both the England B team and the full England team.

An England international with 18 caps, Jagielka was also eligible to represent Poland through his Polish-born grandfather Nikodem.