Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has boldly declared that the 2026 Ballon d’Or should be awarded to a player from his squad, adding another layer of debate to an already closely contested race.
Speaking at a press conference, Enrique made it clear that he believes a PSG player deserves to take home football’s most prestigious individual prize. His comments come with the Ballon d’Or ceremony expected to take place in October, with several leading candidates currently attracting significant attention.
However, Enrique’s stance has received a mixed reaction online.Softfootball understands that Current betting favourites include Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, rather than PSG’s leading contenders, leaving some supporters questioning whether the French champions have a genuine case for the award.
The debate has also brought renewed attention to Mbappé’s extraordinary scoring record. Fans have pointed to his consistency in front of goal while questioning whether players from other clubs have done enough collectively and individually to overtake him.
Others have raised concerns about the number of games played by certain contenders and whether limited appearances should affect their chances of winning the award. There has also been discussion over whether club success and potential bias can influence voting patterns.
Enrique’s comments therefore arrive at a particularly interesting moment in the Ballon d’Or race. While the PSG boss clearly believes his players have done enough to deserve recognition, the final decision will ultimately depend on the voters and their assessment of individual performances, trophies, statistics and overall influence.
With the ceremony approaching, the debate is likely to intensify as supporters continue to compare the leading candidates and determine who truly deserves to be crowned the world’s best player.
