Thierry Henry has defended himself after criticism of the way he hosted Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, saying people were “getting really excited about nothing.”
The former France and Arsenal forward came under fire for remarks he made towards Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, overall winner Harry Kane, and co-host Kate Scott on the night. Henry, who presented the ceremony alongside his CBS Sports colleague Scott, joked with Lamine Yamal about winning a third successive young player of the year award. He also corrected Scott’s pronunciation of Brazil legend Socrates’ name and admitted he wanted fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe to beat Kane to the top prize.
Defending the Lamine Yamal joke
Henry teased Lamine Yamal on stage, saying of his young player award: “It’s your third one, right? But is it the one you really wanted to win?” The remark drew an audible reaction from the audience in attendance.
In a social media video on Wednesday, Henry insisted he was not “checking his ego” and stressed his admiration for the young Spaniard. “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,” he said. “But don’t do that, he’s one of the players I’d pay to watch, I love him.”
Responding to the Socrates pronunciation exchange
The 49-year-old also responded to criticism of his reaction to Scott’s pronunciation of “Socrates,” claiming she was in on the joke herself. “You didn’t like the joke, I understand, but please stop saying I disrespected Kate,” Henry said. “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.”
Backing Mbappe, praising Kane
Henry admitted he wanted Mbappe to win, but he described Kane as a “worthy winner” of the Ballon d’Or. “I’m French and I was always going to back up and support my fellow countryman,” he said.
He added that he had told Kane: “You are a worthy winner, you deserve it, you are the example that work ethic is a talent, working hard is a talent.” He went on to praise the England captain, saying: “Well done, Harry Kane – and I call him Sir Harry Kane since the World Cup.”
Closing his message, Henry urged viewers to calm down. “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.”