Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Mourinho Says Ballon d’Or Should Reward World’s Best Player
Jose Mourinho talked about who should win the Ballon d’Or.
The Ballon d’Or is an award for an individual football player.
Mourinho said it should go to the best player in the world.
He said winning a major team competition should not automatically decide the winner.
He believes the award should honor players people will remember and miss after they retire.
Mourinho said several Real Madrid players are among the top group of candidates.
He also said he does not like politics influencing the award.
He made these comments at a pre-match press conference.
Jose Mourinho said the Ballon d’Or should recognize the world’s best player.
He argued the award should not automatically go to a World Cup or Champions League winner.
Mourinho said the prize has lasting importance in a player’s personal history.
He identified about 12 players as being at a very high level, including three or four at Real Madrid.
Mourinho said he dislikes the award becoming influenced by politics.
- Who
- Jose Mourinho, then Real Madrid’s coach.
- What
- Mourinho said the Ballon d’Or should honor the world’s best player rather than automatically favoring winners of major team competitions.
- When
- On Saturday, during a pre-match press conference.
- Where
- At a pre-match press conference; the location was not specified.
- Why
- He views the Ballon d’Or as an individual award and said he dislikes political influence over its selection.
- Speaker
- Jose Mourinho
- Award
- Ballon d’Or
- Main criterion
- The best player in the world
- Major competitions mentioned
- The World Cup and the Champions League
- Top-player estimate
- Mourinho said around 12 players were at a very high level.
- Real Madrid representation
- Mourinho said Real Madrid had three or four players among that group.
- Political influence
- Mourinho said he did not like politics becoming involved in the award.