Ballon d’Or: You’re rude – Downie blasts Thierry Henry over comments on Kate Scott

Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has faced criticism over his treatment of co-presenter Kate Scott during Monday night’s 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

The pair hosted the prestigious awards gala at the Palladium Theatre, but Henry’s interactions with Scott attracted attention during the two-hour event.

Henry’s tone became a talking point early in the ceremony when he teased Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal about missing out on the Ballon d’Or award.

The former France international also corrected Scott over her pronunciation of Brazilian football legend Socrates, whose name is attached to the award recognising a footballer’s humanitarian contributions.

However, Andrew Downie, a Scottish author and Brazilian football specialist, criticised Henry’s remarks towards Scott, insisting that she had pronounced the name correctly.

Downie, who wrote the book Doctor Socrates: Footballer, Philosopher, Legend, shared his reaction on X, defending Scott’s pronunciation of the Brazilian icon’s name.

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“Thierry Henry is rude and incorrect. She pronounced it properly. I know, I wrote a whole book about the man,” Downie posted on X, expressing his disagreement with Henry’s handling of the situation.