Fabian Ruiz, the 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, finished 24th in last year’s Ballon d’Or rankings. Speaking to France Football, the Spanish international discussed his ambitions and his pride in being among the players nominated for the award.
Ruiz: “I played a key role in decisive moments, both for my club and the national team.””
“It’s up to the voters to decide. On an individual level, great players have had excellent seasons, and there is no doubt about their quality. There are many candidates.
The most important thing for me is to put myself at the service of the team while striving to be among the best. Being in the top 30 is a privilege. I am already very grateful and proud to be nominated. I played a key role in decisive moments, both for my club and the national team.
Ruiz: “I think that today, what matters more is the role rather than the position on the pitch.”
Did others have better seasons?
It depends. In terms of trophies, no. Rodri won the Ballon d’Or two years ago. Even though defenders and goalkeepers still struggle to stand out, I think that today, the role one plays matters more than the specific position on the pitch.
A Ballon d’Or nomination is always rewarding for any footballer. When Pedri won it, it proved that it wasn’t just attackers who mattered for this award. For too long, the number of goals a player scored was practically the only factor that counted for the nomination. Now, there is more emphasis on the collective and a player’s overall importance to their team.
Fabian Ruiz certainly has a real chance of finishing on the Ballon d’Or podium. Having won the Champions League with PSG and the World Cup with Spain, he was a key figure in the midfield for both competitions. The end of the year promises to be just as glorious for Fabian Ruiz, even though competition among the Parisian players for the Ballon d’Or looks set to be fierce.”
