Thierry Henry Lamine Yamal saga: Hemry has moved to explain a comment that angered supporters, who said he had been disrespectful towards Lamine Yamal. The ex-striker for Arsenal and France insists he never set out to belittle the Barcelona player over the remarks that sparked criticism at the 2026 Ballon d'Or gala.
The main points:
- Thierry Henry says he never meant to belittle Lamine Yamal at the 2026 Ballon d'Or gala.
- Fans reacted badly to his joke about whether Yamal really cared for the Kopa Trophy, which he won for a third year running.
- He says he admires Yamal greatly and was not trying to keep anyone's ego in check.
- Viewers objected to his joke about how Kate Scott pronounced Socrates, but Henry says she knew about the gag beforehand.
- Henry says he backed Kylian Mbappe but still congratulated Harry Kane, whom he calls a worthy winner.
Thierry Henry Lamine Yamal: Henry presented Monday's event with Kate Scott. He came under fire after joking about whether Yamal truly cared for the Kopa Trophy, the prize handed to the world's finest young player.
Yamal collected the Kopa Trophy for a third year running, yet Henry's quip drew a backlash from supporters, who took it to mean the teenager was too preoccupied with personal awards.
In a clip posted on Instagram answering the criticism, Henry said people had read his words the wrong way and that he greatly admires the Barcelona player, and the thierry Henry Lamine Yamal row has since drawn wide comment.
“For 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,” he said.
Thierry Henry Lamine Yamal Ego Row Explained
Henry, who has also turned out for Barcelona, said he had anticipated Yamal being among the contenders for the principal Ballon d'Or, which ultimately went to England skipper Harry Kane.
“I am 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 one of the players that I will pay to watch. I love him,” Henry added.
He called Yamal an extraordinary talent whom he enjoys watching, and added that he regretted the young player did not collect the biggest award of the evening.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t win it, because he’s a hell of a player that I enjoy to watch,” he said.
Thierry Henry Defends His Socrates Joke With Scott
Another row, this one concerning Scott, also came up. Viewers had taken issue with his quip over the way she pronounced Socrates, the Brazilian legend who has died.
Henry rejected the suggestion that he showed Scott disrespect, saying the moment had been scripted, and she knew about the gag before he delivered it.
“Kate was with me on that joke,” Henry said. “And you can ask Kate, by the way. She did it on purpose, to say Socrates. And I had to say Socrates [with a different pronunciation].”
He asked those criticising him to stop presenting the moment as an effort to humiliate his co-presenter.
“Again, that you didn’t like the joke, I understand. But please stop saying that I disrespect Kate. I will never do that,” he added.
Henry, who is 49, then clarified his words about Kane. He said he had been supporting his fellow countryman Kylian Mbappe, but had nonetheless congratulated the England forward on taking the Ballon d'Or.
According to Henry, he commended Kane for his commitment and hard work and regarded him as a worthy champion.
“I just said to him [Kane], ‘You are a worthy winner. You deserve it. You are the example of what I always call: work ethic is a talent, working hard is a talent,” he said.
Henry added that he has addressed Kane as “Sir Harry Kane” since the World Cup, a sign, he said, of how much he respects what the striker has achieved.
Henry closed his response by asking supporters to stop seeing disrespect in his jokes. The former Arsenal skipper repeated how much he admires Yamal and Kane, and said he holds Scott in high regard.
“So please, people out there. Relax. I love Harry Kane, I love Lamine Yamal. And I didn’t disrespect Kate. She was in on the joke with me. Have a good night, see you soon,” he said.
