José Mourinho has argued that winning team trophies should not be a mandatory requirement for a player to claim the Ballon d’Or, insisting that the award should primarily recognise the best individual footballer in the world.
The Portuguese manager made the comments while discussing the debate surrounding this year’s Ballon d’Or, with several elite players competing for the prestigious individual honour.
Mourinho believes the quality of a player’s individual performances should carry greater weight than the number of trophies won by his club. In his view, a player can be the outstanding performer in world football even if his team does not finish the season with major silverware.
His position comes amid ongoing discussions over the criteria that should determine the winner of the award, particularly whether individual statistics, performances in important matches and team success should have equal importance.
Mourinho pointed to the possibility of a player producing a superior individual campaign despite playing for a team that fails to win major competitions. He argued that such a player should not automatically be ruled out of contention simply because his teammates did not secure trophies.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager also criticised what he sees as an excessive focus on collective achievements when judging individual awards.
According to Mourinho, the Ballon d’Or should distinguish between a player’s personal contribution and the success of the team around him. A footballer, he suggested, should be capable of winning the award based on his performances even when circumstances prevent his club from lifting major trophies.
His comments add another dimension to the debate surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or, particularly with Kylian Mbappé among the leading names being discussed for the award. Mourinho has previously expressed strong admiration for the French forward and believes individual quality should remain central to the voting process.
The debate is expected to continue as football fans, players and analysts assess whether trophies, statistics or overall individual influence should have the greatest impact on the final result.
