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The debate around the Ballon d'Or has flared up once more after the latest comments from José Mourinho. The Portuguese coach, known for speaking plainly and without filters, gave his own interpretation of what the award should stand for in modern football.

For "The Special One", the individual honour should recognise pure talent rather than simply rewarding titles won: "For me, the Ballon d'Or has to go to those players who, when they retire, we miss forever. I miss Maradona, Nazario, Messi, Zizou..."

With his trademark irony, Mourinho made it clear that if the decision is based only on a season's collective achievements, then the people in the dugout should be the ones taking centre stage. In that context, he sent a direct message about who ought to receive the prize.

"You can't give the Ballon d'Or just because someone won the Champions League or the World Cup. If you want to reward the Champions League, give the Ballon d'Or to Luis Enrique. As for Spain, surely De La Fuente deserves it," the Portuguese manager said while referring to PSG's and the national team's campaigns.

Even so, he maintained that the best footballer in the world is playing elsewhere: "The best in the world doesn't have to be from PSG or Spain. There are two, three or four, and we know who they are". He also took aim at the award process itself: "The Ballon d'Or has politics, and once politics gets involved, I don't like it as much."