Mourinho Advocates for Individual Brilliance in Ballon d’Or

José Mourinho, the manager of Real Madrid, expressed that winning major trophies should not be a mandatory criterion for players vying for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. He made these remarks after Real Madrid's 2-1 victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Mourinho emphasized that individual brilliance should be evaluated independently of a team's achievements, stating, “For me, the best player in the world can also be one without trophies.” This perspective comes as Real Madrid has not secured major silverware in the past two years, yet they have four players—Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Marc Cucurella—on the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Mourinho's comments aim to bolster the case for players who have showcased exceptional individual performances despite their teams lacking major titles.

The release of the shortlist has intensified discussions regarding the criteria for the prestigious award, with Mourinho advocating for recognition based on individual quality and influence.