Fabian Ruiz winning the Ballon d'Or is no joke

If I had to pick one phrase to describe Fabian Ruiz's journey this season, it would be "complete and decisive".

A midfielder once labelled “unfulfilled potential”, now stands tall among the world’s best players. And after a magical season with PSG and the Spanish national team, the question is clearer than ever: Can Fabian Ruiz get his hands on the Ballon d’Or?

A season of a lifetime - and more to come

If there was one word to describe Fabian Ruiz’s journey this season, it would be “complete and decisive”. With eight goals and 11 assists in all competitions, he is not just a cog in the PSG system, but a conductor of the game – a provider of rhythm, variation and stability.

More importantly, Fabian Ruiz has not only shone on an individual level, but has also achieved great collective glory. With PSG, the Spanish star has conquered all domestic titles - Ligue 1, National Cup, Super Cup - and the pinnacle is the Champions League, the first in the history of the Parisian capital club. And the journey is not over yet: the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ and the European Super Cup are waiting, promising to complete a rare "sextuple" in football history.

Behind the trophies is an incredible run of results – a direct reflection of Fabian Ruiz’s influence on the pitch. With PSG, he led the team to an unbeaten run of 62 consecutive domestic games – a record that was only broken in April this year against Nice. Ironically, the former Napoli man scored the only goal of the game in that defeat, a reminder that he is always there even in the toughest of times.

At international level, Fabian Ruiz continued to be a key player, playing a part in Spain’s 38-match unbeaten run – only to be snapped by a nail-biting Nations League final defeat to Portugal on penalties. But it’s that run that is the true measure of his status.

The question often asked of "quiet" players like Fabian Ruiz is: "Do I have enough courage to shine at the biggest moments?" And last season, he answered loudly.

Fabian Ruiz is shining brightly in PSG's shirt.

At EURO 2024, Fabian Ruiz was a key factor in the journey to the title of “La Roja”. He not only started every match, but was also included in the best squad of the tournament - an honor that not every player has achieved. At the Club World Cup 2025, he became a “hero” with a double against Real Madrid in the semi-finals, leading PSG to the final with a brilliant performance and the title of “Best Player of the Match”.

No longer a "potential" player, Fabian Ruiz is now a mainstay, a leader in the two most prestigious jerseys: PSG and the Spanish national team.

Time to step into the light

One of the most notable milestones in the changing perception of Fabian Ruz was Luis Enrique’s statement a few months ago. The former Spain coach publicly admitted that he regretted not calling up his player for the 2022 World Cup – a rare admission, but one that reflects the leap the player has made in less than three years.

At 29, Fabian Ruiz is at the peak of his career. He combines a mature footballing mind with the technique and vision honed over many seasons in La Liga, Serie A and now Ligue 1. His ability to dictate play, position himself and deliver well-weighted passes makes him a true “brain” in the middle of the pitch.

Fabian Ruiz scored twice in PSG's 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals.

With so many individuals excelling in 2025, the Ballon d'Or story is more open than ever. And Fabian Ruiz, with a season full of trophies and real impact on the pitch, deserves to be included in the top group of candidates.

Lamine Yamal may be the future of Spanish football, but Fabian Ruiz is the present. And if PSG complete the “six-fold”, and Spain continue to maintain their current strength, there is no reason to leave Fabian Ruiz out of the top 5 - or further, why not the dream of the Ballon d’Or?

Because sometimes, the quietest players can write the most brilliant chapters in football history.