2026 Ballon d'Or: Fabian Ruiz points to Rodri's win to back his own case

Having won the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup, Fabian Ruiz believes he has a shot at the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Fabian Ruiz has a strong case to make in the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. After finishing 24th last season in his first nomination, the Spanish World Cup winner is aiming much higher this year. In an interview with France Football, the Spaniard shared his ambitions.

"Where do I stand in the Ballon d’Or race? That’s for the voters to decide. The most important thing for me is to put myself at the service of the team while striving to be among the best. I was lucky enough to be among the 30 nominees last year. Being in the top 30 is a privilege. Let them vote for whoever they think deserves it most. I am already very grateful and proud to be nominated," he stated.

When asked if other players had better seasons than him, he replied: "It depends. In terms of trophies, no. Individually, great players had excellent seasons, and there is no doubt about their quality. There are many candidates. Being among the players mentioned for the Ballon d’Or is already a privilege and a source of immense satisfaction."

While fully aware of the bias towards attacking players in the Ballon d’Or race, Ruiz believes in his chances by citing the precedent set by Rodri: "Rodri won the Ballon d’Or two years ago. Even though defenders and goalkeepers still struggle to stand out, I think that today, the role you play matters more than your position on the pitch." "Setting an example so that children just starting out also watch the midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers is important."

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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