Fabian Ruiz: From Silent Hero to Ballon d'Or Ambition

In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Paris Saint-Germain and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz openly shared his ambition to win the Ballon d'Or. At 28, Ruiz has just enjoyed a memorable season, winning the Champions League with PSG and the World Cup with Spain. He was the only player to achieve this feat last season. However, in the 2026 Ballon d'Or voting, he finished 24th. It was his first nomination. "I am very grateful and proud just to be nominated. It motivates me to keep working hard," Ruiz said. "I believe a midfielder can win the Ballon d'Or. Rodri proved that. I don't want to put pressure on myself, but I believe in my ability." Rodri, the Manchester City and Spain midfielder, won the 2026 Ballon d'Or after winning the treble with Man City and Euro 2026 with Spain. Rodri's victory is seen as a turning point, breaking the dominance of forwards in the race for football's most prestigious individual award. Before Rodri, only a few central midfielders had won the Ballon d'Or, such as Lothar Matthäus (2026) and Luka Modric (2026). This shows that the award has traditionally favoured attacking players, those capable of scoring and creating goals. Ruiz is no stranger to Spanish football fans. He was a key player for Napoli before moving to PSG in 2026 for a fee of around 23 million euros. At PSG, he has the trust of coach Luis Enrique. Last season, he played in both the Champions League semi-final second leg and the final, helping PSG win their first European Cup. In the semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, Ruiz started and played the full 90 minutes. In the final against Arsenal, he was also in the starting lineup. This is the clearest evidence of Luis Enrique's trust in him. "Luis Enrique is a great coach. He always trusted me in the big matches. I am very grateful for that," Ruiz shared. Not only at club level, Ruiz also secured a starting spot in the Spain national team under coach Luis de la Fuente. He was selected to start from the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, replacing Pedri - considered a prodigy of Spanish football. This choice shows that De la Fuente values Ruiz's balance and ability to transition in knockout matches. At the 2026 World Cup, Spain exited in the round of 16, but Ruiz left his mark with his ability to control the tempo and win duels. He then continued to be an important factor in Spain's Euro 2026 triumph. Last season, Ruiz suffered a knee injury and was out for 3 months. However, he believes that should not affect the voters' assessment. "I think an injury is not a black mark. I came back and played the most important matches. That is what matters," he said. In-depth analysis of Fabian Ruiz's chances reveals several factors both supporting and hindering his ambition. Tactically, Ruiz is a versatile central midfielder, capable of contributing in both attack and defence. He can play as a number 8, moving into the box to score or dropping deep to distribute the ball. In Luis Enrique's system, he often operates in the inner channels and half-spaces. His passing and game-management abilities are well-suited to PSG's possession-based style. According to Transfermarkt data, his market value is around 40-50 million euros, and his estimated salary is 15-18 million euros per year. However, the central midfield position has long been undervalued in Ballon d'Or voting. Historically, the vast majority of winners have been forwards or attacking midfielders. Only a few defensive or central midfielders have won the award, such as Lothar Matthäus, Luka Modric and most recently Rodri. This puts Ruiz at a disadvantage compared to forwards like Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham or Cole Palmer. Another factor is the competition within his own club and national team. PSG has many attacking stars like Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and others. Spain also has prominent names like Rodri, Pedri, Gavi. Having multiple players from the same team nominated can lead to vote splitting, reducing each individual's chances. In the 2026 Ballon d'Or vote, Rodri won, but he was an exception, combining prestigious team trophies with outstanding individual performances. Ruiz needs more than that to convince journalists. Financially, Ruiz's current market value is around 40-50 million euros (per Transfermarkt). This is not high compared to top attacking stars, but it accurately reflects his position and age. His salary at PSG is estimated at 15-18 million euros per year, placing him in the upper-middle bracket of the squad. A higher Ballon d'Or ranking could improve his negotiating position in the future, but it does not significantly affect transfer value. This shows that individual awards are not the decisive factor in player valuation, which is mainly based on age, position and form. In terms of risk, last season's knee injury raises questions about Ruiz's ability to maintain form. He is 28, the prime age of his career. Being out for 3 months could lead voters to undervalue his consistency. However, returning and performing well in the big matches at the end of the season is a major plus. According to analysis, the risk of injury recurrence is medium, and if he continues to be absent, his chances will diminish. Another important factor is how Ruiz positions himself in the race. He appears humble, not self-promoting. "Let them vote for whoever they consider most deserving. I just try to do my job well," he said. This approach may help him avoid criticism of arrogance, but it could also limit his self-campaigning. In modern football, many players use media and social networks to promote their image, and Ruiz's humility could be a double-edged sword. In the context of modern football, where individual awards are increasingly influenced by media and social networks, it is encouraging that a midfielder like Ruiz can compete. Rodri has paved the way, and Ruiz is trying to follow. He also emphasised the importance of inspiring the next generation: "I want to be an example for children starting to play football, so they also look at midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers." Can Fabian Ruiz win the Ballon d'Or? That is a difficult question. But regardless of the outcome, his journey is an inspiring story for young players, those who play in positions that are not as celebrated as forwards. With the new season approaching, Fabian Ruiz will have the chance to prove himself again. PSG will continue to compete in the Champions League, and Spain will aim for new goals. If he maintains his form and wins more trophies, his chances will widen. But as he himself admits, the Ballon d'Or is an award dependent on journalists' votes. He can only control what he does on the pitch. And that is something he is doing very well. According to expert analysis, Ruiz has an advantage as the only player to win both the World Cup and Champions League in the same season. This is a rare achievement, and it could be a highlight in his portfolio. However, voters tend to remember individual moments of brilliance more than team trophies. An interesting comparison: Rodri won the 2026 Ballon d'Or thanks to a combination of team achievements (treble with Man City, Euro triumph with Spain) and an irreplaceable pivotal role. Ruiz also has similar team achievements, but his role at PSG and Spain is somewhat less prominent than Rodri's. He is not the main scorer or creator, but the connector and balancer. In terms of influence, Ruiz is highly rated for his long passing, press resistance and duels. He is a modern midfielder, capable of playing in various positions in midfield. However, these qualities are often not reflected in statistics, making it hard for him to compete with players who have impressive goal and assist numbers. Regarding the future, Ruiz has 2-3 years left on his PSG contract. If he continues to perform at a high level, he could attract interest from other big clubs. However, PSG are reportedly not looking to sell him, as he is part of Luis Enrique's long-term plans. Meanwhile, in the Spain national team, competition in midfield is fierce. Pedri, Gavi, Mikel Merino, and many other young players are competing for a starting spot. Ruiz needs to maintain consistent form to keep his place. In summary, Fabian Ruiz has a chance but it will not be easy. He needs an explosive season, with trophies and outstanding individual performances, to convince voters. But whatever the outcome, he is already one of the best midfielders in the world today.