The Paris Saint-Germain leadership has shaped its official Ballon d’Or strategy around Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, leaving midfielder Fabian Ruiz off the club’s promotional roster despite his major trophies last season, according to reports in European sports media.
Paris Saint-Germain Narrows Ballon d’Or Focus to Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia
Following a campaign that saw Paris Saint-Germain capture both the Ligue 1 title and a second UEFA Champions League crown, the French club placed a record ten players among the thirty nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Alongside Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia, the club’s shortlisted representatives include Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Fabian Ruiz, Ferran Torres, and Vitinha.
Front Office Strategy Aims to Prevent Split Voting
Despite boasting ten nominees from a championship-winning squad, club management chose to focus its promotional messaging strictly on its two primary candidates. According to reporting from the sports outlet Tribuna, influential figures within the Paris Saint-Germain front office intentionally narrowed the campaign to prevent a split of voting support among multiple teammates from the same roster.
Ousmane Dembélé enters the conversation as the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, anchoring his candidacy as a central figure in Paris. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia earned significant global visibility after being named the best player of the last Champions League. By highlighting two distinct offensive profiles, the club aims to maximize its electoral weight among voters.
Balancing Electoral Logistics and Collective Identity
Romain Beddouk, a consultant appearing on Ici Paris Île-de-France, noted that the club’s communication approach is designed around clear electoral logistics. The strategy prevents internal competition between club candidates while reinforcing the collective identity that defined the team’s domestic and continental dominance.
Fabian Ruiz Sidelined Despite Major Trophies
The decision to sideline Fabian Ruiz from the official promotional push has drawn attention given the midfielder’s extensive silverware. The Spanish international secured a series of major trophies over the past calendar year, lifting the Ligue 1 trophy and the Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain before winning the World Cup with the Spain national team. Earlier in the season, Luis Enrique frequently praised the midfielder’s contributions in the squad.
Reports regarding Fabian Ruiz’s reaction to the club’s communication shift remain mixed. Outlets indicate that the player learned of the promotional focus primarily through media coverage without direct outreach from club leadership, a dynamic that could spark minor friction within the locker room. Conversely, separate accounts suggest the former Napoli player was aware of the club’s communication plans ahead of time and viewed the situation pragmatically.
Looking Ahead to Team Objectives
Fabian Ruiz approaches the nomination with personal perspective, recognizing the intense global competition for the individual honor against players with higher media exposure. Despite missing out on the club’s official marketing campaign, his performances across club and international football cement one of the most productive stretches of his professional career.
As the final voting window for the prestigious individual award approaches, Paris Saint-Germain maintains its focus on team objectives. The club has set its sights on pursuing a third successive European title, with Fabian Ruiz expected to retain his vital role in the central midfield.
Keep reading
