José Mourinho has criticised the influence of politics in the Ballon d’Or, insisting that the prestigious award should go to the best individual player in the world rather than automatically favouring players who win the Champions League or World Cup.
The Real Madrid coach made the comments during his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s home clash with Málaga on Sunday.
Mourinho argued that the award should recognise players whose individual brilliance and careers leave a lasting mark on football, naming legends such as Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo Nazário and Zinedine Zidane.
“The Ballon d’Or should go to one of those players who, when they retire, we miss them for eternity.”
The Portuguese manager also questioned the idea that winning the UEFA Champions League or World Cup should automatically make a player the leading candidate for the award.
“You can’t give the Ballon d’Or to a guy just for winning the UCL or the World Cup.”
He suggested that if team success alone determined the winner, then the award could instead go to a coach such as Luis Enrique, highlighting his belief that individual quality should remain the main consideration.
Mourinho stressed that a player’s nationality or club should not influence the voting process, arguing that the award should be reserved for the few players who stand out as the best in the world.
“It needs to go to the best player in the world.”
The former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester United manager also suggested that politics sometimes plays a role in Ballon d’Or voting, although he said he preferred not to become involved in such debates.
“But politics come into the Ballon d’Or, so I don’t like getting into politics.”
