Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has faced backlash over how he addressed Kate Scott, his co-presenter at Monday night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The pair fronted the 2026 awards gala at London’s Palladium Theatre.
Henry’s awkward tone surfaced early in the two-hour event when he needled Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal about missing out on the Ballon d’Or, then pulled Scott up on her pronunciation of Brazil legend Socrates; the name attached to the award recognising a footballer’s humanitarian work.
However, Andrew Downie, a Scottish author and Brazilian football specialist who wrote “Doctor Socrates: Footballer, Philosopher, Legend,” condemned Henry’s conduct toward Scott.
“Thierry Henry is rude and incorrect. She pronounced it properly. I know, I wrote a whole book about the man,” Downie posted on X.
Ballon d'Or: You're rude - Downie blasts Thierry Henry over comments on Kate Scott