Fabian Ruiz Makes His Case for the Ballon d'Or

Fabian Ruiz is not hiding. After a season in which he lifted both the World Cup and the Champions League, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has stepped firmly into the Ballon d'Or debate and planted his flag.

"In terms of titles, no one has had a better season than me," he told L'Equipe, laying out his case without blinking. "Individually, great players have had an excellent season. A World Cup with your country is the biggest title you can win."

It is a bold statement, but his résumé backs up the conviction. Ruiz missed three months with a knee injury, yet still sees his decisive contributions as enough to keep him in the conversation for football’s most prestigious individual prize. For him, the weight of trophies matters.

He knows, though, that this is no one-horse race. The Spain international openly points to the surge of Barcelona’s teenage phenomenon Lamine Yamal, widely viewed as one of the frontrunners for the award. Ruiz is not pretending the competition doesn’t exist; he is challenging it.

His stance today is shaped by what happened last year. Speaking to France Football, Ruiz reflected on finishing 24th in the voting, an achievement he refuses to dismiss.

"Where do I see myself in the Ballon d'Or race? That comes down to the voters," he said. "The most important thing for me is to put myself at the disposal of the team, while at the same time striving to be among the best. I was fortunate to be among the list of thirty nominees last year. Being among the thirty is a great honour."

That balance — team-first, but with clear personal ambition — runs through his argument. Midfielders often sit in the shadows when the spotlight swings toward goals and assists. Ruiz wants that lens to widen.

He takes encouragement from a fellow Spaniard. "Rodri won the Ballon d'Or two years ago," he reminded France Football, using his compatriot as proof that the era of automatic forward dominance can be challenged.

From there, his message broadens. "And although defenders and goalkeepers still find it difficult to gain recognition, I believe what matters today is the role a player performs more than his position on the pitch. And it is important to set an example for children who are starting to play football, so that they also look at midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers."

This is where his campaign becomes something bigger than a personal plea. Ruiz is arguing for a different way of seeing the game: value the organiser as much as the finisher, the protector as much as the poacher. If voters buy into that vision, a midfielder who quietly dictated two of the sport’s biggest trophies might find his name much higher up the Ballon d'Or list this time.