Ballon d’Or: Christophe Galtier Names Fabián Ruiz Favorite After PSG Rise

Speaking to Le Parisien, the Neom SC manager in Saudi Arabia laid out a clear case to award the Spanish international. He pointed out that the Spanish midfielder is the only nominee boasting both the Champions League and the World Cup. That unique trophy haul makes him, in his view, the ideal contender for the prestigious individual accolade.

For Christophe Galtier, the journey of a player signed in 2022 for €25 million without a pre-season commands genuine respect. Long operating under the radar, Fabián Ruiz covers every blade of grass, dictates the tempo and brings fluidity to the entire Parisian setup through exceptional tactical awareness.

This remarkable vision had already impressed the French manager back in 2018 during a European clash between Paris Saint-Germain and SSC Napoli. His contract extension through to June 2028, which includes an optional extra year, cements the number eight as an indispensable cornerstone of the Paris project.

In this interview, Christophe Galtier hails the collective strength built by Luis Enrique and Luis Campos. He also mentions Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the legitimate contenders to shine with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 70th ceremony will bring together the 100 voting journalists from FIFA on October 26, 2026 in London amid fierce competition from top goalscorers.