Thierry Henry has defended himself after facing criticism for his presenting duties at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday. The former Arsenal striker co-hosted the awards with Kate Scott but drew backlash for comments directed at men's winner Harry Kane, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Scott.
Remarks at the Ceremony
On stage, Henry admitted he wanted fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Kane, who became the first Englishman in 25 years to take the award after a standout season for club and country. Henry also joked that Yamal, who won the young player award for the third consecutive year, had his sights on the main prize instead. The comments drew a mixed reaction from the audience at the Palladium.
Further awkward moments came when Henry corrected Scott's pronunciation of 'Socrates' ahead of Bukayo Saka receiving the award of the same name for his humanitarian and community work.
Henry's Response
In a social media video, Henry addressed the remarks about Yamal, insisting he was not "checking his ego" and that he had nothing but respect for the 19-year-old winger. On the night, Henry told Yamal after his Kopa Trophy win: "It's your third one, right? But is it the one you really wanted to win?"
Responding to criticism in a video posted on Wednesday, Henry said: "I'm a big fan of Lamine Yamal. I wasn't checking his ego at all - that you didn't like the joke, I can understand. But don't do that, he's one of the players I'd pay to watch, I love him."
Defending Kate Scott
Henry also addressed claims that he disrespected Scott, a colleague at American broadcaster CBS. He said she was in on the joke about her pronunciation, stating: "You didn't like the joke, I understand, but please stop saying I disrespected Kate. I will never do that and you can ask her, she was on the joke with me. She did Soc on purpose, and I said Soc, so please stop inventing stories."
Henry added that Kane was a "worthy winner" and urged everyone to "relax" about the situation, saying his comments were meant in jest. He explained: "I'm French and I was always going to back up and support my fellow countryman. I said to [Kane], 'You are a worthy winner, you deserve it, you are the example that work ethic is a talent, working hard is a talent'. Well done, Harry Kane - and I call him Sir Harry Kane since the World Cup."
He concluded: "So please, people out there, relax, relax. I love Harry Kane, I love Lamine Yamal and I didn't disrespect Kate. She was on the joke with me."
