I Didn’t Disrespect Yamal At Ballon d’Or Ceremony – Henry

Thierry Henry has fiercely defended his performance as host of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. He recently had his say following a wave of social media backlash, and fans have been reacting.

Stressing that he was not trying to deflate Yamal‘s confidence with his joke about his latest young player award, Henry shut down suggestions that he was being disrespectful to the Spanish international.

He added that his words were meant in a light-hearted manner, and he remains a massive admirer of Lamine’s unique ability on the pitch.

His words, “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.

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.

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.

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.”