Overview
- José Mourinho publicly said on Saturday that the Ballon d'Or should not be given to a player solely for winning the Champions League or the World Cup.
- He argued the award should reward players whose sustained, game-changing influence means they will be missed after they retire.
- Mourinho cast doubt on the integrity of the selection, saying political considerations may be at play in the voting.
- He proposed that if team achievements are to be honoured then coaches or whole teams should receive separate recognition, specifically naming Luis Enrique and the Spanish national side.
- The Ballon d'Or will be decided by 100 journalists for the period Aug. 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026, the Oct. 26 ceremony in London shapes how recent World Cup and club performances will influence votes and public expectations about contenders such as Kylian Mbappé.