Fabian Ruiz makes his Ballon d’Or case, sets out his ambitions

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·13 September 2026

Fabian Ruiz makes his Ballon d’Or case, sets out his ambitions

Fabian Ruiz, the 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, finished 24th last year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Speaking to France Football, the Spanish international discussed his ambitions and his pride at having been among the players selected for this distinction.

Ruiz: “I was important in the decisive moments, both for my club and for the national team.”

“It’s up to the voters to decide. Individually, great players have had an excellent season and there is no doubt about their level. There are a lot of candidates. The most important thing for me is to make myself available to the team, while also trying to be among the best. Being among the 30 is a privilege. I am already very grateful and proud to be nominated. I was important in the decisive moments, both for my club and for the national team.”

Ruiz: “I think that today, what matters most is the role rather than the position on the pitch.”

Some have had a better season? It depends. In terms of titles, no. Rodri won the Ballon d’Or two years ago. Even if defenders and goalkeepers still struggle to stand out, I think that today, what matters most is the role rather than the position on the pitch.

A Ballon d’Or nomination is always valuable for any footballer. When Pedri won it, it also proved that it is not only attackers who matter for this distinction. For far too long, the number of goals scored by a player was almost the only important factor for a nomination. Now, more emphasis is placed on the collective side and on the player’s overall importance to the team.

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Fabian Ruiz obviously has every chance of finishing on the Ballon d’Or podium. Winner of the Champions League with PSG as well as the World Cup with Spain, he was a key part of midfield in both competitions. The end of the year therefore looks set to be just as glorious for Fabian Ruiz, even if the competition among the Parisians in the Ballon d’Or race promises to be fierce.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.