The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set for this month, and as it approaches, no clear frontrunner has emerged for the prestigious award. However, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique shared his thoughts on who he believes deserves the honor during an interview with TNT Sports Brazil.
While this year’s Ballon d’Or lacks a definitive favorite, both Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham stand out as strong candidates, thanks to their contributions that helped Real Madrid clinch the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles last season.
Despite their impressive performances, neither player added any further trophies over the summer to bolster their chances. Bellingham did reach the UEFA Euro 2024 final, while Brazil faced an early exit in the knockout stages.
Although Enrique isn’t particularly fond of individual accolades, he expressed a desire tosee the Brazilian star from Real Madrid take home the award.
“Who’s going to win it? Do you guys know? I hope it’s Vinícius Júnior, a Brazilian,” Enrique told the Brazilian media outlet. “He’d deserve it, for sure. But honestly, as a coach, I don’t really care much about these individual awards. I don’t believe in them at all.
“They’re just part of the marketing. Yeah, they recognize a player who’s done well, scored a lot, and won titles, but without the team, a player is nothing. So, congrats to whoever wins, whether it’s Vinícius or someone else, but I’ll always value the team more.
”Lionel Messi, the current Ballon d’Or holder, is backing a different candidate this year. Instead of his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé, he has chosen Lautaro Martinez, his compatriot on the Argentine national team and a standout player for Inter Milan.
As Major League Soccer (MLS) embarks on its 30th season, the league stands at a critical juncture, deliberating its future direction in the global soccer landscape.
The recent inclusion of San Diego FC as the 30th team exemplifies MLS's rapid expansion.
However, this growth prompts questions about the league's identity and objectives.
Bob Foose, executive director of the MLS Players Association, expressed concern, stating, "I've been disappointed in how little has been done so far to build on that momentum internally."
This sentiment reflects a broader debate on whether MLS should prioritize becoming a competitive world league or focus on strengthening its domestic roots.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted predominantly in the United States, presents a unique opportunity for MLS to elevate its profile.
Despite achieving record attendance and expanding its fan base, the league still grapples with securing a firm foothold in the mainstream American sports consciousness.
Foose emphasized the urgency of strategic action, noting, "There should have been significant moves made over the last 12 to 18 months."
As MLS navigates this pivotal period, the decisions made now will likely define its trajectory in the evolving global soccer arena.
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