Luis Enrique Defends Vitinha Following 2026 Ballon d’Or Ranking

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the 2026 Ballon d’Or results, specifically highlighting the ranking of Portuguese midfielder Vitinha. Despite playing a central role in PSG’s successful defense of their UEFA Champions League title, the 26-year-old finished in 14th place, a significant decline from his third-place finish in the 2025 edition of the prestigious award.

A Disappointing Drop in Recognition

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, held at the London Palladium on October 26, saw Harry Kane take home the top prize, with Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal rounding out the top three. For Vitinha, the 14th-place result came as a surprise to his manager, particularly given his inclusion in the Champions League Team of the Season and his consistent performance in the PSG midfield.

Speaking at a press conference at PSG’s Campus in Poissy on Thursday, October 29, Luis Enrique addressed the media ahead of the team’s upcoming Ligue 1 match against Le Havre. According to reports from Goal, the manager expressed his firm belief that the midfielder’s individual quality was not accurately reflected in the final voting.

“His level is incredible. We’re very pleased to have a player of his calibre, even though he wasn’t ranked as highly as he deserves to be in the Ballon d’Or rankings,” Enrique stated.

PSG’s Standing in the 2026 Rankings

While Vitinha’s ranking was a point of contention for Enrique, PSG maintained a strong presence in the broader awards list. Several other squad members secured spots in the top ten, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in sixth, Ousmane Dembélé in seventh, and Fabián Ruiz in tenth. Additionally, Achraf Hakimi finished just ahead of Vitinha in 13th place.

Despite these individual achievements, the 2026 results marked a shift for the French champions. Unlike the previous year, when Ousmane Dembélé claimed the Ballon d’Or and Vitinha secured a podium spot, no PSG player managed to break into the top five this time around. Nevertheless, the club did retain the Club of the Year award for the second consecutive time.

Moving Past the Controversy

When pressed further on the voting outcomes, Enrique indicated that he was ready to move on from the subject. While he remained steadfast in his defense of Vitinha’s talent—praising his technical and physical abilities—he expressed a desire to conclude the conversation surrounding the awards to focus on the team’s domestic campaign.

The manager’s comments underscore the ongoing debate regarding the criteria used for individual football accolades. As PSG prepares for their next league fixture, the focus for the club remains on maintaining their competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions, regardless of the individual honors bestowed upon their players.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: Ballon d'Or · Football News · Luis Enrique · news · PSG · ViralBrief · Vitinha