Downie blasts Henry as 'rude and incorrect' over Ballon d'Or exchange with Kate Scott
Andrew Downie, author of 'Doctor Socrates: Footballer, Philosopher, Legend,' publicly condemned Thierry Henry as 'rude and incorrect' after the former Arsenal striker corrected co-presenter Kate Scott's pronunciation of 'Socrates' during Monday's 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony at London's Palladium Theatre. Downie posted on X: 'She pronounced it properly. I know, I wrote a whole book about the man.'
The exchange occurred early in the two-hour gala where Henry and Scott fronted the broadcast. Henry also needled Barcelona's Lamine Yamal about missing out on the main Ballon d'Or award. The Socrates Award recognizes a footballer's humanitarian work, named after the Brazil legend who died in 2011.
Downie's intervention carries weight as a Scottish author and Brazilian football specialist whose 2017 biography is considered a definitive work on Socrates. His defense of Scott highlights ongoing scrutiny of how male former players treat female broadcasters in football media.
Henry has worked as a pundit for CBS Sports and Amazon Prime since retiring. The ceremony took place October 26, with Rodri winning the men's Ballon d'Or and Aitana Bonmatí taking the women's prize.
Does Henry's broadcasting style reflect expertise or entitlement when sharing airtime with professional presenters?