Thierry Henry has responded to criticism over his hosting of the recent Ballon d'Or ceremony, asserting that his comments directed at players and co-host Kate Scott were intended as jokes. Henry addressed the controversy on social media, stating that people were "getting really excited about nothing."
During the event, Henry made a remark to young player Lamine Yamal, questioning if his award was the one he truly wanted. He also discussed co-host Kate Scott's pronunciation of "Socrates," the namesake of a humanitarian award presented at the ceremony, and admitted he had favored compatriot Kylian Mbappe for the main prize over winner Harry Kane.
Addressing the comments about Yamal, Henry expressed his admiration for the young Spanish player. "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," Henry said. "But don't do that, he's one of the players I'd pay to watch, I love him."
Regarding the interaction with Scott, Henry claimed she was "on the joke with me" and that her pronunciation of "Socrates" as "Soc" was intentional. "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," he stated.
Henry also commented on his support for Kylian Mbappe, explaining that as a Frenchman, he would naturally back his countryman. However, he also acknowledged Harry Kane as a "worthy winner" of the Ballon d'Or. "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," Henry added.
He concluded by urging the public to "relax" and reiterated his positive regard for Kane and Yamal, while denying any disrespect towards Scott.