Real Madrid manager José Mourinho believes winning team trophies should not be an automatic requirement for a player to claim the Ballon d’Or.
The Portuguese coach argued that the award should primarily recognise the individual who has been the best footballer, rather than simply going to a player who has collected the most silverware during the season.
Mourinho’s comments come as the 2026 Ballon d’Or race continues to attract intense debate, with several of the world’s biggest stars in contention for the prestigious individual honour. The current race has been shaped by performances at both club and international level following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Mourinho, a player can deliver an outstanding individual campaign even if his team fails to win major trophies. He believes such performances should still be enough to put that player in serious contention for the award.
The manager’s position challenges the long-standing argument that major trophies should heavily influence Ballon d’Or voting. In recent years, success in competitions such as the Champions League, domestic leagues and the World Cup has often strengthened a player’s claim.
The Ballon d’Or is decided through voting by journalists from FIFA-ranked nations, with voters selecting their top 10 players and awarding points according to their rankings.
Mourinho’s argument therefore places greater emphasis on individual quality, consistency and influence rather than a player’s medal collection.
The debate is likely to continue as the 2026 contenders battle for recognition, with the Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled to take place in London on October 26.
For Mourinho, however, the principle is straightforward: if a footballer is genuinely the best player in the world, the absence of a major team trophy should not automatically prevent him from being crowned the Ballon d’Or winner.
