Thierry Henry explains Ballon d’Or exchange with Lamine Yamal

Thierry Henry has rejected criticism of his conduct at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, insisting: “I was not trying to bruise his ego.”

The former France forward was accused of showing disrespect towards Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and co-presenter Kate Scott during the event on 26 October.

Henry made the comments after joking with Yamal on stage, asking whether he had really wanted to win the award for the best young player rather than the main Ballon d’Or prize.

Kane was named the Ballon d’Or winner at the ceremony.