PSG's Luis Enrique Says Vitinha Deserved Higher Ballon d'Or Ranking

ESPN reports that Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique believes midfielder Vitinha should have placed higher in the 2026 Ballon d'Or voting. The Spanish coach made his feelings known following the announcement of the winners, suggesting the Portuguese international's contributions merited greater recognition from the jury.

Vitinha has been a central figure in PSG's midfield since his arrival, dictating tempo and contributing defensively in a system that demands high positional discipline. Enrique's public endorsement highlights the often subjective nature of individual awards, where attacking output frequently overshadows the subtle art of midfield control.

For readers tracking how the game's best are evaluated, this is a reminder that managerial perspective often diverges from the voting consensus. We think the debate enriches the award's narrative, even if it changes nothing retroactively.

Source: PSG's Luis Enrique: Vitinha deserved higher Ballon d'Or ranking — ESPN

Our take: A manager's public backing for his midfielder shows how individual awards still stir debate inside elite dressing rooms.