Galtier Names Ruiz, Dembele and Kvaratskhelia as Ballon d’Or Picks

Christophe Galtier has backed Paris Saint-Germain to produce the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, naming Fabian Ruiz, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the three PSG players he believes merit the award.

Galtier selects three PSG contenders

The former PSG head coach, now in charge of Neom, wants the individual honour to return to France and believes the Paris club’s recent performances have supplied several credible candidates. Galtier managed PSG in the 2022-23 campaign and worked closely with Ruiz after the midfielder joined from Napoli in the summer of 2022.

• Fabian Ruiz was Galtier’s choice when judging the contenders by trophies collected.
• Ousmane Dembele was highlighted for his influence in matches, despite a limited amount of playing time.
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was also praised for the level of his displays over the past year.

Galtier said one of the PSG trio would be a deserved recipient of the Ballon d’Or. “Looking at the trophies, I would put Fabian Ruiz forward,” he said. “Looking at the games, Ousmane Dembele, although he has not played much, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have been outstanding. Any one of those three would deserve it.”

Ruiz receives particular praise

Galtier reserved especially strong words for Ruiz, the Spain international who initially found the physical demands of French football difficult after arriving in Paris. The 30-year-old has since become a central figure in PSG’s midfield.

The former coach pointed to Ruiz’s reading of play and his value to the structure of the side, describing him as a player who makes the collective function smoothly.

• Galtier believes Ruiz anticipates situations ahead of other players.
• He credited the midfielder with covering and balancing team-mates’ movements.
• His assessment was that Ruiz has an instinctive understanding of the game.

“If there is one player who enables the team to operate so well, it is him,” Galtier said. “He sees things before everyone else, covers movements and understands football.”

London ceremony approaches

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be staged in London in the coming weeks, bringing the debate over the winner towards its conclusion. Ruiz, Dembele and Kvaratskhelia will continue their PSG commitments while the international jury prepares its vote.

Galtier’s view is clear: PSG’s leading candidates have cases built on both collective success and decisive individual performances, with Ruiz’s role in the midfield receiving his most emphatic endorsement.