Nothing much is known about Barry's early life except for the fact that he is of Guinean origin. His parents' names are also not available in the public domain.
The first thing that you notice about Thierno Barry is his towering height and physique. His 6'5" frame allows him to excel in aerial duels and physical battles with defenders. Apart from being lean and brawn, Barry has also demonstrated technical intelligence in his movement, which allows him to frequently position himself on the shoulders of defenders. He is also smart in exploiting spaces, creating a pandemonium in the defensive lines, and posing a continuous threat.
In addition to his box presence, Barry likes having the ball at his feet. He often drifts wide to make use of the flanks. His height benefits when Barry goes toe-to-toe with the opposition players. Deceptive touches, including sole rolls and flip-flaps, help him put defenders off-balance. He is also capable of navigating through tight spaces. In the process, he can also earn fouls, luring his opponents into committing tackles.
Barry averages 3.47 shots per game, which places him in the 85th percentile of his positional peers in the top five leagues. He also has a non-penalty expected goals (npxG) of 0.57, ranking in the 88th percentile. His aerial success of 4.19 duels won per game positions him in the 90th percentile and serves as a useful tool if Marcelino opts for a more direct approach.
Apart from his attacking prowess, Barry is also effective in running forward with the ball, completing 1.37 passes into the final third per game, which places him in the 85th percentile for this metric. His progressive runs average 1.53 per 90 minutes (65th percentile), while he is also active on the defensive side with 0.89 blocks per 90 (89th).
Barry has taken a total of 101 shots, registering an 18.8 percent goal conversion rate. His expertise inside the penalty area is authenticated by his conversion rate. Though his shooting skills from outside the box are questionable, his close-range finishes have always been impressive. This quality was evident in his recent hat-trick against Leganés. With Barry leading the line, Villarreal had a memorable campaign in the 2024-25 La Liga. Barry’s right foot is his go-to weapon, accounting for the majority of his shots. In addition to this, the French striker also displays considerable aerial dominance, with a substantial number of goals coming from headers.