Henry clarifies Ballon d'Or joke: "I wasn't trying to hurt his ego"

Henry clarified his joke to Yamal at the Ballon d'Or ceremony was not intended to mock him for not winning the main award.

Thierry Henry hosted the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony in London on Monday alongside British broadcaster Kate Scott. When Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal collected the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year, Henry joked: "Is this the award you really wanted tonight?" The comment sparked debate, with some interpreting it as mockery over Yamal's failure to win the main Ballon d'Or.

Henry has since released a video clarifying his intent. "I wasn't trying to hurt his ego at all," he said. "I simply thought that since it was the third time he was winning the trophy, I'd ask if that was the one he really wanted. I got a laugh from people; we all know what he wanted, but unfortunately he didn't get it." Henry stressed his admiration for Yamal, calling him "one of the players I'd pay to watch play," and explained he was simply acknowledging that Yamal had hoped to win the main award but fell short.