‘It’ll be amazing’ – Kane sets sights on Ballon d’Or after ‘great season’
Video credit: SNTV
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid‘s La Liga meeting with Malaga, Mourinho argued that the award should recognise the greatest individual player rather than simply rewarding the team who won the biggest trophies.
“For me, the Ballon d’Or has to be one of those players that, when he retires, we miss for eternity,” Mourinho told reporters.
“I miss [Diego] Maradona, [Ronaldo] Nazario, [Lionel] Messi, Zizou [Zinedine Zidane], [Lothar] Matthaus… You can’t give the Ballon d’Or because he won the Champions League or the World Cup.”
Mourinho’s comments come with the 2026 award expected to be contested by a group of high-profile candidates, including Spain midfielder Rodri and several members of the Paris Saint-Germain attack after their respective successes on the international and European stages.
New Barcelona midfielder Rodri has emerged as a leading contender after helping his country win the World Cup, adding another major international achievement to a career that already includes the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Ousmane Dembele – who won the award last year ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal – and his PSG team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have also been tipped to be in the running, while Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane cannot be discounted following his 2025/26 goalscoring exploits.
Mourinho believes tournament success should not automatically determine the winner.
“If you want to reward the Champions League, give the Ballon d’Or to Luis Enrique,” the Portuguese continued. “To Spain, [Luis] De la Fuente surely deserves it,” he said, referring to the PSG manager and Spain coach.
“This is the great tribute. Another thing is the best in the world.”
Rodri was the star of Spain’s World Cup triumph
Image credit: Getty Images
Mourinho then made his position unmistakable.
“It doesn’t have to be from PSG or Spain,” he said. “There are two, three or four of them and we know who they are. We know where they are, here.”
Mourinho is seemingly pointing towards a Real Madrid player as his preferred winner, with his own squad containing several of the names expected to feature prominently in the Ballon d’Or discussion.
The coach has repeatedly praised Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham since taking charge, but his comments suggest his choice is based on a broader assessment of individual greatness rather than simply the most successful club or international team.
“We already know my concept of the Ballon d’Or,” Mourinho added. “We are not going to make it up in Spain or PSG. There, Luis Enrique or De la Fuente. The best player is someone else.”
‘Kvaratskhelia would win Ballon d’Or if he was Brazilian, Spanish or French’
Video credit: TNT Sports
The debate inevitably brings back memories of the 2024 ceremony, when Rodri was crowned ahead of Vinicius.
Real Madrid were furious at the outcome and boycotted the event after learning that Vinicius would not receive the award. The Brazilian did not attend, while several figures from the club were also absent from the ceremony.
The snub became one of the defining moments of that year’s Ballon d’Or, particularly given Vinicius’ status at Real Madrid and his role in the club’s UEFA Champions League triumph.
Rodri’s victory instead recognised his influence for Manchester City and Spain, with his club success and international performances helping him edge a field that included Vinicius.
“Unfair”: Ronaldo hätte Ballon d’Or Vinícius Júnior gegeben
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mourinho’s latest comments reopen that debate, particularly with Rodri once again among the contenders after another landmark achievement with Spain.
The former City midfielder is now at Barcelona, having moved from the Premier League side, and his World Cup triumph has strengthened a case built on both club and international success.
Mourinho, however, remains unconvinced that it should settle the argument.
“The Ballon d’Or has politics and if politics comes in, I don’t like it so much,” he ended.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this. Download the TNT Sports app on iPhone and Android.Watch and stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live with TNT Sports on HBO Max