Thierry Henry has defended himself against criticism of how he hosted Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, saying people were “getting really excited about nothing”.
The former France and Arsenal forward, who presented the ceremony alongside CBS Sports colleague Kate Scott, has faced criticism over remarks he made towards Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, overall winner Harry Kane and Scott on the night.
Lamine Yamal joke
Henry joked with Lamine Yamal about winning a third successive Young Player of the Year award. The reaction from the audience was audible. On the night, he teased the Spaniard by saying: “It’s your third one, right? But is it the one you really wanted to win?”
Speaking in a social media video 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.”
Socrates pronunciation
Henry also responded to criticism over how he handled Scott’s pronunciation of the name of Brazil legend Socrates. He corrected her on air, and he insists she was in on the joke.
“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.”
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka won the Socrates Award for his humanitarian and charity work.
Support for Mbappé and praise for Kane
Henry admitted he wanted fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé to beat Kane to the top prize. He described Kane as a “worthy winner” and told the public to “relax” after his support for Mbappé’s claim.
“I’m French and I was always going to back up and support my fellow countryman,” he said.
“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.
“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.”