Thierry Henry responds to claims of disrespecting Yamal and Kate at Ballon d’Or

Legendary footballer Thierry Henry has dismissed claims that he disrespected Lamine Yamal and his co-master of ceremonies (MC), Kate Scott, during the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26, 2026.

The former Arsenal player faced backlash on social media after asking Yamal whether the Kopa Trophy he had won was what he really wanted on the night. Some fans interpreted the question as a dig at the Barcelona winger.

Henry was also criticised for correcting Kate’s pronunciation of the name “Socrates”, with some viewers suggesting that the exchange was embarrassing for the broadcaster.

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Responding to the criticism, Henry clarified that he had no intention of challenging Yamal’s ego on stage.

He explained that he was genuinely asking whether the Kopa Trophy was the award the young winger wanted, given his association with the main accolade.

“So, I want to clarify some stuff for some people who got really excited for actually nothing. First and foremost, with Lamine Yamal, I wasn't checking his ego at all. I just thought that as the third time that he's winning that trophy, I just asked him if that's the one that he really wanted, and that brought out a lot of people. We all know what he wanted, unfortunately.

“He didn't get it. I'm a big fan of Lamine Yamal. I wasn't checking his ego whatsoever. That you didn't like the joke, I can understand, but please don't do that. He's actually one of the players that I will pay to watch. I love him. So, I was just asking if it's the one that he really wants because I know the real prize was coming after, and unfortunately, he didn't win it,” he said in a video shared on social media.

The former Barcelona striker also explained that the exchange over Kate’s pronunciation of Socrates was intentional, and part of a planned joke designed to entertain the audience.

He insisted that there was no malice behind the exchange and that he had no intention of disrespecting the broadcaster.

“Now let's move on to Kate. Kate was with me on that joke, and you can ask Kate, by the way. She did it on purpose to say, Socrates. And I had to say, Socrates. Again, that you didn't like the joke, I understand, but please stop saying I did disrespect Kate. I will never do that, and you can ask her, people. She was on the joke with me. She said Socrates on purpose, and I said, Socrates. So please stop inventing stories,” he added.

Watch the video below:

🚨🚨| Thierry Henry has posted a video on social media addressing the criticism he received after co-hosting the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony alongside Kate Scott. 👀🏆

https://t.co/mSothAZCh4

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 28, 2026