Nasser Al-Khelaifi Backs Kvaratskhelia, Dembele And Fabian Ruiz For Ballon d’Or

Qatari chief Nasser Al-Khelaïfi stated that his forwards and Spanish midfielder fully deserve football’s ultimate individual honour. For the Paris Saint-Germain president, trophies won across all fronts entirely justify his key players making the shortlist.

This massive representation reflects Parisian dominance, with 10 finalists among the 30 contenders for the Ballon d’Or 2026. Alongside Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Fabián Ruiz, 7 other mainstays made the cut. The list also features Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Ferran Torres, and Vitinha.

Rumours suggesting an imbalance in the exposure granted to Fabián Ruiz are dismissed by a comprehensive media rollout. The Spanish international secured one-on-one interviews with TF1, UEFA and Onda Cero, alongside a group media appearance in The Athletic.

Named Player of the Season in the UEFA Champions League, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stands as the firm frontrunner backed by 10 goals and 7 assists in 16 matches. Head coach Luis Enrique also reiterated in his press conference that no instructions were ever issued to favour one individual over another.

Winner of the 2025 edition, Ousmane Dembélé publicly backed his Georgian strike partner. This clear stance reinforces squad harmony and shuts down any potential internal rivalry inside the dressing room.

The official ceremony scheduled for October 26, 2026 will crown an outstanding season for the French champions. Paris Saint-Germain head into this global event full of confidence following their achievements and boasting undeniable collective strength.