Fabián Ruiz Makes Ballon d'Or Case After Stellar Season

Fabián Ruiz is not hiding. After a year 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, a statement as direct as his passing. "Individually, great players have had an excellent season. A World Cup with your country is the biggest title you can win."

Ruiz’s campaign was not flawless. A knee injury kept him out for three months, a sizeable chunk of the season for any player, let alone one chasing individual recognition. But he is convinced that when he did play, he made it count – and that his decisive moments in the biggest competitions should carry weight when the votes are cast.

The Spain international leans heavily on collective glory as his argument. World Cup winner. Champions League winner. Two of the sport’s ultimate prizes in the same season. For Ruiz, that combination should not be brushed aside in favour of highlight reels and scoring charts.

He also knows the landscape he is stepping into. The race includes a new generation of stars, led by Barcelona’s teenage phenomenon Lamine Yamal, widely tipped as one of the frontrunners for the award. Ruiz does not dismiss that competition; he simply believes his own résumé deserves to be right beside it.

This is not the first time his name has appeared in this conversation. Speaking to France Football, Ruiz reflected on finishing 24th in the voting last year and on what realistic ambition looks like in such a crowded field.

"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."

Those words reveal a player who understands both the prestige and the politics of the award. Midfielders, especially those who do as much unseen work as Ruiz, often stand in the shadows of prolific forwards when individual prizes are handed out. Goals and assists dominate the discourse; control, balance and tactical intelligence rarely trend.

Ruiz refuses to accept that this should be the natural order. He draws strength from a recent example close to home.

"Rodri won the Ballon d'Or two years ago," he reminded France Football. That victory, from another Spanish midfielder, serves as a reference point and a source of belief. It proved that voters can, at times, look beyond the scorers and dribblers and reward the heartbeat of a team.

Ruiz pushes that idea further. "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," he said. For him, the game has evolved, and the criteria for greatness should evolve with it.

There is also a broader mission in his mind. "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." In other words, the Ballon d'Or is not just a trophy; it is a signpost. It tells the next generation which positions are valued, which profiles are celebrated, which roles are worth dreaming about.

Ruiz knows he is up against a wave of attacking talent and a narrative that often leans towards the spectacular. But with a World Cup medal, a Champions League trophy and a growing voice in the debate, he has thrown down a clear challenge to the voters: will they reward the goals again, or the season that, in his words, no one has matched?