Thierry Henry explains Yamal joke after fans accuse him of disrespect

Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has explained his controversial remarks about Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal during the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, insisting that he had no intention of disrespecting the young footballer.
Henry, who co-hosted the awards ceremony alongside Kate Scott on Monday, faced criticism after jokingly questioning whether Yamal really wanted the Kopa Trophy, an award presented to the best young player in world football.
Yamal won the trophy for the third consecutive time, but Henry’s comments sparked reactions from fans who interpreted them as a suggestion that the teenager was overly concerned about winning individual honours.
Responding to the ...