Fans are asking whether Declan Rice can win the Ballon d’Or if Arsenal win the Champions League, and Softfootball believes it is possible.
Rice has been absolutely fantastic throughout the 2025/26 season. His energy, ball recovery, leadership, and midfield dominance have been key to Arsenal’s success both domestically and in Europe.
However, there is still a big debate. When Rodri won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, his importance to Manchester City was undeniable. Whenever Rodri was absent, City struggled badly. He controlled matches, dictated tempo, and gave balance to the entire team.
Now the question becomes, is Rice truly Arsenal’s best player this season?
Fans should not overlook Gabriel Magalhães. His defensive contribution to this Arsenal side has been massively underrated. Rice may shine in midfield by helping the attack and winning the ball, but when Arsenal are under pressure, Gabriel is often the player holding everything together at the back.
Defenders are rarely appreciated the way they should be, despite the huge work they do. Their importance is usually felt most when they are unavailable. A similar example was seen at Chelsea when Levi Colwill was injured and the team struggled defensively.
For Softfootball, Gabriel Magalhães has arguably been Arsenal’s most important player this season, even if Rice receives more attention because of his role in midfield.
