PSG eliminates Fabián from Ballon d'Or contention
The Spanish player has won absolutely everything during the calendar year, including the World Cup with Spain last summer
Fabián Ruiz, a 30-year-old midfielder, is one of the latest news from Paris Saint-Germain as he has ceased to be one of the main bets of the club for the Ballon d'Or. In the last few days, the club has focused its campaign on Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with just eight days left until the voting deadline on September 28.
The change affects the only player among the 30 nominees who managed to win both the Champions League and the World Cup during the evaluated period. Fabián won the European competition with PSG and then lifted the World Cup with Spain.
"When it comes to titles, NO ONE HAD A BETTER SEASON THAN ME. A World Cup with your country is the GREATEST TITLE YOU CAN WIN." Fabián Ruiz, about the BALON D'OR, in L’Équipe. ⚠️🇪🇸 ⁉️ Opinions? pic.twitter.com/oiZEkEHEZZ
— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) September 15, 2026
Fabián Ruiz takes a back seat at Paris Saint-Germain
The strategy of Paris Saint-Germain was different at the beginning of the campaign. The club had given visibility to Fabián Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the three players it considered most promising among its nominees.
The situation changed this week. According to L'Équipe, PSG has decided to focus its communication efforts around Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia. Both have been involved in joint content and interviews related to the award race, while Fabián has lost presence in this campaign.
The move also responds to the number of Parisian candidates. PSG has nine players from its current squad among the nominees, and the vote dispersion may diminish the individual chances of its main contenders.
Fabián presents his own arguments. During the 2025/26 season, he played 45 matches, scored 3 goals, and provided 6 assists. Collectively, he won the Champions League, the World Cup, Ligue 1, the Intercontinental Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Trophée des Champions.
Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gather support
The turn places Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2025, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at the forefront of Parisian strategy. The Georgian closed the last Champions League with 10 goals and 7 assists, including seven goals and three assists since the start of the knockout rounds.
Fabián Ruiz had spoken publicly in recent weeks about his chances. In an interview with Téléfoot, he expressed his desire to get closer to the award after a season of titles with both his club and national team.
He also received support within the dressing room. Vitinha placed Fabián, Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia among the top three PSG candidates who, in his opinion, could compete for the award.
No decision has been made
The final decision lies with 100 journalists, one per country among the top hundred in the FIFA rankings. Each juror selects a list of ten players considering individual performance, collective achievements, and sportsmanship.
The next deadline for Fabián Ruiz is set. Journalists can cast their votes until September 28, and the winner will be revealed on October 26 in London. Until the voting closes, the Spaniard will have to defend his candidacy without the same media push that PSG is currently giving to his two teammates.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El PSG autodescarta a Fabián para el Balón de Oro