Paris: (RightNow) During the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, former French footballer Thierry Henry made a joke with Spanish player Lamine Yamal. The incident became a hot topic on social media.

Henry congratulated Barcelona forward Yamal on the Kopa Trophy win and asked, ‘Is this really what you wanted to win?’ The audience laughed, but social media criticized the remark.

Many fans stated that Henry’s joke with the 19-year-old player was inappropriate, while others defended Henry.

Some users mentioned that a player of Henry’s stature should not joke with a young footballer in such a manner. Defenders argued that Henry intended humor, not embarrassment.

It is noteworthy that Yamal finished third in the Ballon d’Or race, while Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane won the award.