Former France international Thierry Henry, has defended his interactions with Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and presenter Kate Scott at the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that Henry, who co-hosted the event in London, faced backlash after asking Yamal if the Kopa Trophy—which he won for the third consecutive time—was the award he really wanted, given his miss on the main Ballon d’Or.
Responding in a video posted on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Henry clarified his intentions. “I’m a big fan of Lamine Yamal. I wasn’t trying to check his ego whatsoever. If you didn’t like the joke, I understand,” he said. He explained he knew the main prize was still coming and described Yamal as a player he “would pay to watch.”
Addressing the second controversy involving a joke about the pronunciation of Socrates during the Socrates Award presentation, Henry insisted his co-presenter was in on the joke.
“Kate was in on the joke with me… She did it on purpose to say, Socrates. Please stop saying I disrespected Kate. I will never do that,” he added. Henry maintained that his remarks were not intended to disrespect either individual.
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