Former France international Thierry Henry has responded to criticism over his interactions with Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and presenter Kate Scott during the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, insisting that his comments were not intended to disrespect either of them.
Henry, who co-hosted the ceremony with Scott at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, addressed the controversy in a video shared on social media after clips of the exchanges attracted widespread attention.
One incident occurred when Yamal collected the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year. Henry congratulated the Barcelona youngster before asking whether the award was the one he had really wanted to win, a remark widely understood as a reference to Yamal missing out on the main Ballon d’Or prize.
The question prompted mixed reactions among football fans. Some viewers criticised Henry for putting the teenager in an uncomfortable position, while others considered the exchange light-hearted banter between two prominent football figures.
Responding to the criticism, Henry said he was not attempting to undermine Yamal’s confidence or embarrass him. He explained that he knew the main award was still to be announced when he asked the question and said his intention was humorous rather than hostile.
Henry also expressed admiration for the young winger, describing him as a player he enjoys watching. He acknowledged that some people might not have appreciated the joke but maintained that it was not meant as a personal attack.
A separate controversy involved Henry’s exchange with Scott while they were presenting the Socrates Award, which recognises humanitarian contributions by footballers. Henry interrupted his co-presenter during a discussion about the pronunciation of the name of the late Brazilian footballer Sócrates.
The exchange drew criticism from some viewers, with Scottish author Andrew Downie among those who questioned Henry’s conduct and argued that Scott had pronounced the name correctly.
Henry later defended the interaction, saying Scott had been part of the joke and that the moment had been misunderstood. He denied deliberately disrespecting her and asked critics not to interpret the exchange as an attempt to belittle his co-presenter.
The two incidents became talking points after the ceremony, illustrating how unscripted exchanges at major sporting events can quickly become subjects of online debate. While some viewers regarded Henry’s remarks as unnecessary, others defended him and argued that the moments had been taken out of context.
Yamal nevertheless had a successful evening, winning his third consecutive Kopa Trophy despite missing out on the main individual award. England captain Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, with Kylian Mbappé and Yamal among the leading contenders.
Henry’s response has clarified his stated intentions, but reactions to the exchanges remain divided. The controversy has highlighted the importance of tone and presentation at high-profile sporting ceremonies, where brief remarks can attract scrutiny from a global audience.
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