Thierry Henry’s latest presenting gig had earned him criticism online after the Frenchman’s ‘humiliating’ question to teenage superstar Lamine Yamal.
The world’s best footballers gathered at the London Palladium last night for the Ballon d’Or awards, which honours the best individual players from both the men and women’s game.
Harry Kane would claim a historic victory on the men’s side, with the Bayern Munich and England forward ousting second-placed Kylian Mbappe to claim the iconic trophy, becoming the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to do so.
Spanish youngsters Vicky Lopez and Yamal were named as the best young players, but the 19-year-old sensation was eyeing up a bigger prize, which was alluded to by Thierry Henry during his presentation of the award, and it’s landed the former Arsenal man in some hot water.
The Frenchman joked: “It’s your third one, right? But is it the one you really wanted to win?” Yamal laughed before replying, “No.”
Yamal won the best young player award at the ceremony but came third in the overall rankings (Jeff Spicer – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Fans on social media have hit out at the former striker, who is well known for his presenting duties on CBS and Sky Sports.
One said: “Thierry Henry is not getting a presenting gig ever again. That is a shameful question to ask Yamal. Totally disrespectful.”
Another added: “Imagine being a grown man publicly humiliating a 19-year-old who’s already finished second and third in the Ballon d’Or. The arrogance, bitterness and complete lack of class is genuinely sickening. Yamal smiling through that nonsense showed more maturity than Henry could ever dream of having.”
A third wrote: “Thierry Henry’s joke to Lamine Yamal was unnecessary. He had just accepted another Young Player award and was clearly disappointed about the Ballon d’Or, so asking, ‘Is this the one you wanted tonight?’ felt like rubbing it in. Lamine still handled it perfectly and immediately shifted the attention to Cubarsí.”
A fourth weighed in: “Henry is savage. He hit Yamal where it hurts.”
England captain Harry Kane claimed the best player award (Jeff Spicer – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
It wasn’t the only hiccup on the night in the English capital as the Ballon d’Or organisers also accidentally announced Kane, Mbappe and Yamal as the winners online, and things also kicked off an hour or so late.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad night for the Spaniards, which is perhaps no surprise after their World Cup victories in 2026 and 2025, as Alexia Putellas won the women’s award after her sparkling performances for both Barcelona and Spain.
Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente won the men’s Coach of the Year award, and Barcelona Femení coach Pere Romeu won the women’s coach award, while Spain and Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simón won the best goalkeeper award.
Despite Yamal suggesting that his Barcelona and Spain teammate Pau Cubarsi deserved to win the young player’s award, showing off some good humility, Yamal’s uncle has been less forthcoming after Kane was confirmed as the winner.
He said: “My nephew was amazing, he was the best player in the world, everyone knows it. If you like football, you go to see Lamine, not Harry Kane.
“Harry Kane is a great goalscorer but Lamine is the best player who shines on the pitch and if he’s unlucky, there’s next year.”
Although he was very critical of one of the best goal scorers of the past decade, he wasn’t wrong with his last sentiment, as Yamal certainly stands in good stead to win the award in the future, particularly after a sensational start to the new season which has seen him register 10 goals and 10 assists across just 13 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League.
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