Galtier Names Three Players He Believes Deserve Ballon d'Or 2026
Former Paris Saint‑Germain manager Christophe Galtier identified Fabián Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the players who deserve the Ballon d’Or this year.
In Brief
- •Former Paris Saint‑Germain manager Christophe Galtier identified Fabián Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the players who deserve the Ballon d’Or this year.
- •Galtier cited trophies for Ruiz and match performances for Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia in his assessment.
- •All three players were among the 30 shortlisted for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
- •The statement was made in an interview with Le Parisien, reported by the Daily Post.
- •Galtier expressed personal satisfaction if any of the three won the award.
Why It Matters
The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in football, influencing player market values, sponsorships, and national pride. Galtier’s endorsement of these players may shape media narratives and public expectations ahead of the final voting, potentially affecting the award’s outcome and the players’ careers.
Key Details
- Player 1
- Fabián Ruiz
- Player 2
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Player 3
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Source
- Daily Post (Nigeria)
- Date of statement
- 2026-10-01
- Shortlisted players
- 30
Original Reporting & Sources
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