Former Valencia goalkeeper and Spanish football analyst Santi Cañizares has argued that Harry Kane and Fabián Ruiz deserve the upcoming Ballon d’Or more than prominent favorites Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, pointing to their major accomplishments throughout the season. The debate over football’s premier individual prize intensifies ahead of the upcoming ceremony in London, where global ballots are heavily split among a diverse group of standout performers.
Cañizares Outlines His Ballot Preferences
Speaking on the radio program ‘El Partidazo’ broadcast by Cope, Cañizares detailed his personal voting stance regarding the contenders for the prestigious trophy. While public betting markets and media discussions frequently spotlight Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, the former Spain international believes other candidates hold superior credentials based on consistent excellence across all competitions.
“I’m going to stick to who I would vote for and, for me, before Lamine and before Mbappé there are two superior candidates who are Harry Kane and Fabián,” Cañizares stated during the broadcast. He added that the achievements of the Bayern Munich striker and the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder represent a tougher challenge within the sport over the calendar year.
Evaluating the Midfield and Forward Contenders
The case for Fabián Ruiz has gained substantial backing from figures within European football, most notably from his current club manager at Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique. Earlier in August, the Asturian coach strongly endorsed his midfielder for the global accolade, highlighting a dense collection of collective triumphs accumulated by the player.
Luis Enrique pointed to Fabián Ruiz’s extensive trophy resume, noting victories at the highest international and club levels. “He has won the World Cup, the European Championship two years ago, the Champions League two times in a row, the Nations League…,” Luis Enrique remarked in mid-August, underlining an argument for sustained elite-level output that places the central midfielder alongside Bayern Munich’s prolific English goalscorer in the conversations of analysts.
Global Contenders in the Final Weeks
Alongside Kane, Fabián, Yamal, and Mbappé, other high-profile names remain active in the final rounds of consideration for the award, including Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
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