Fabián Ruiz reflected on his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year.
The 30-year-old midfielder has enjoyed an amazing two years for club and country. He has won the 2024 European Championships and 2026 World Cup with Spain while helping Paris Saint-Germain get their hands on back-to-back Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.
‘It takes the whole team’
Fabián has been integral to both teams. He took the place of Pedri in the midfield for La Roja from the quarter-final stage of the World Cup, and he has been trusted by compatriot Luis Enrique in the engine room for the Parisiens with Vitinha and João Neves.
His unassuming personality should not take away from the quality of his contributions for club and country, and he feels a receipt of the award would rightfully shine a light on the importance of his kind of role in the success of a side.
“The truth is that, collectively, I’ve been the player who has won the most trophies. I think it’s been seven over the last few years. I’m very happy with this season and with what I’ve achieved. I’ve felt important at Paris Saint-Germain and with the national team. That’s important for any player, and especially for me. The Ballon d’Or is a beautiful award, something every player wants to win.
“The fact that people are talking about me makes me happy because it means they’re recognizing the work I’ve done. So, I’ll try to finish as high as possible and, why not dream of winning it?
“I’ve been the player who has won the most trophies. Why not dream of winning the Ballon d’Or?
“Obviously, I’m not going to lie to you. Every player likes having their work recognized, just like people in any other profession. If you do your job well and people on the outside recognize that you’re doing well and that you’ve had a good season, it feels good to get that recognition.
Recognition beyond the goalscorers
“Everyone knows it’s normal for forwards to have better numbers than midfielders, defenders or goalkeepers. It’s harder for a defender to put up a forward’s numbers, but in recent years people have started placing much more value and importance on other positions, which I think is very important.
“A team is made up of 11 players plus the players on the bench, and I think a defender or goalkeeper is just as important as a forward. In recent years, we have seen Luka Modrić and Rodri win it.
“That’s important for soccer and, above all, for young players. It encourages them to look at other positions too, rather than just the players who score goals, although obviously that’s important as well. You win games by scoring goals, but it takes the whole team.”
