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Fabian Ruiz opens up on Ballon d'Or ambition as PSG and Spain midfielder eyes football's top individual honour
Arjun Pillai | September 7, 2026 2:20 AM CST

Fabian Ruiz has revealed that winning the Ballon d'Or is a major ambition after a remarkable, trophy-filled 2026 for both club and country. The Paris Saint-Germain and Spain midfielder feels landing football's most prestigious individual award would be the greatest honour after lifting the Champions League and World Cup within the space of a few months.

The 30-year-old midfielder has put himself into the conversation as an outside Ballon d'Or contender after collecting an impressive haul of trophies across the 2025-26 season. Even though he spent a lengthy spell out injured, the midfield playmaker won Ligue 1, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup with PSG. At international level, he played in all eight matches for La Roja as they went on to win the 2026 World Cup.

His importance was also clear in the World Cup final, where he completed 91.7 per cent of his passes and created two chances before being taken off in the 62nd minute.

Speaking to Telefoot, as quoted by AS, he said: "I think it's every footballer's dream. To be recognised individually for all your work during this season or several years in a row.

"The truth is, I've been lucky enough to win many team titles. Individual ones, few. And why not dream of being as close as possible to lifting this trophy? It would be something very special and an honour to be able to lift the Ballon d'Or."

He also enjoyed a steady season at club level, scoring two goals and providing five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions for Les Parisiens last season. The French champions then acted quickly to secure his future, handing him a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2028. Individual recognition would be fitting reward for a midfielder who has so often done the hard work quietly in the middle of the pitch.

Ruiz has played in all three of PSG's opening Ligue 1 matches this season, but the defending champions are still without a win and sit 13th in the table with two points. The European champions now need a quick response when they welcome Slovan Bratislava for Wednesday's Champions League league-phase opener. Luis Enrique's side then face another tough assignment with an away league game against Brest on Sunday, September 13.


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