Thierry Henry to Host Ballon d’Or Alongside Kate Scott in London

Arsenal’s record goalscorer Thierry Henry has been confirmed as co-host of this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, alongside broadcaster Kate Scott.

The event takes place at the London Palladium on Monday 26 October, marking the 70th edition of the awards and the first time the ceremony has been held in the English capital. The move pays tribute to Stanley Matthews, who won the very first Ballon d’Or in 1956.

Henry explained that he was honoured to have been asked to present the ceremony in the city.

He said, ‘London is the city I call home, and I have a deep connection to its football culture and the passionate fans here, so to be hosting here alongside my friend and colleague Kate feels like a natural fit.’

Henry and Scott both appear on CBS Sports Golazo during Champions League coverage, alongside Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.

The Frenchman came close to winning the award himself during his time in north London, finishing second in 2003 and third in 2006.

He controversially finished behind Juventus' Pavel Nedvěd in 2003, despite Henry scoring 18 more goals and recording 11 more assists than the Czech winger.

Whilst the trophy proved too elusive for Henry in his playing career, he will now be presenting the prestigious award to the best footballer in the last year.

Henry could end up handing the award to former Tottenham Hotspur captain Harry Kane, who is currently the frontrunner, whilst Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Kylian Mbappé are also in contention after impressive campaigns.

Arsenal are heavily represented across this year’s shortlists following a season in which they won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final.

Three Arsenal players are in contention for the men’s Ballon d’Or. Declan Rice is nominated after a title-winning campaign in which he scored five goals and provided 11 assists, while centre-back pairing Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba are both recognised after anchoring a defence that kept 17 league clean sheets.

David Raya is nominated for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper, after winning his third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove. Mikel Arteta is up for Coach of the Year, and Arsenal are also nominated for Club of the Year.

There is plenty of Arsenal interest in the women’s awards too. Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo are both on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Féminin, after another successful season for Renée Slegers’ side.

The ceremony comes at a busy time for Arsenal. The men’s team face Everton at the Emirates on the Saturday beforehand, before a Carabao Cup trip to Fleetwood Town later that week.