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Luis Enrique Names His Surprise Pick to Win the 2026 Ballon d’Or

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Luis Enrique has made a surprising pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or and snubbed the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Rodri.

The Paris Saint-Germain boss has coached all three players during his managerial career, and the trio is among the favorites to win the prestigious award. His time working with Messi at Barcelona was inevitably hugely successful, picking up nine trophies, including a historic continental treble.

Mbappe‘s last season at PSG came under Enrique, and he bagged 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 games before heading to Real Madrid. Before the Spaniard took the reins at the Parc des Princes, he spent a brief spell in charge of Spain’s national team, and he often turned to Rodri in midfield.

The trio were standout performers at this summer’s World Cup, with Rodri winning the Golden Ball after captaining his country to glory. Mbappe won the Golden Boot as France finished fourth, and Messi agonisingly missed out on a second World Cup in a row despite rolling back the years with inspired performances.

Luis Enrique Makes Surprising Ballon d’Or Pick

paris saint-germain luis enrique

The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is Ousmane Dembele, who has been a talisman under Enrique. The French winger played a key role in PSG’s history-making 2025-26 season, helping them win a joint-record five trophies.

Enrique thinks Dembele should hand the award over to his PSG teammate when the ceremony takes place in London on October 26th. He told Spanish newspaper SPORT: “(Fabian Ruiz) won the World Cup, the European Championship two years ago, the Champions League twice in a row, and the Nations League… the Ballon d’Or! The Ballon d’Or for sure!”

Fabian Ruiz has been one of the biggest improvements at PSG since Enrique’s appointment back in July 2023. He is one of the Spanish coach’s favourites, pulling the strings in the middle of the park alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves.

Enrique’s captain Marquinhos agreed with his manager, adding: “All that is missing is the Ballon d’Or, that’s it.”

 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique and Fabian Ruiz celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

Ruiz has been sweeping up trophies in recent years and last season he won the Ligue 1 title, the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Trophee des Champions. With Spain, he became a world champion, adding to the European Championship he won back in 2024.

Now 30, the midfielder is starting to earn recognition for his exploits in the French capital and on the international stage. His club awarded him a new three-year contract earlier this summer, which includes the option to extend for a further year.

Will Fabian Ruiz Win The Ballon d’Or?

Fabian Ruiz in action for Paris Saint-Germain REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Ruiz isn’t among the frontrunners to win the Ballon d’Or despite Enrique’s glowing endorsement of the Spanish star. While he is enjoying consistent trophy success, he isn’t quite the beating heart of the PSG team.

Metric

Ligue 1

Overall (All Comps)

Appearances

20

35

Goals

1

2

Assists

4

5

Yellow Cards

1

3

Red Cards

0

0

Stats courtesy of Transfermarkt – correct as of 12/08/2026

Nor the Spain side, who won a second World Cup this summer, as he came in and out of Luis de la Fuente’s team. He’s undoubtedly one of the most highly-admired midfielders in world football but if a La Roja star is to win the award,, it will likely be Rodri or Lamine Yamal.

Others in contention include Harry Kane, who broke goalscoring records for Bayern Munich en route to another Bundesliga win. Messi is in with a shout of winning a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or, although playing in the MLS will be factored in.

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Eva Carneiro Slams Jose Mourinho & John Terry’s Comments on Chelsea Clash

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Former Chelsea physio Eva Carneiro has hit out at Jose Mourinho and John Terry following comments made about her in the three-part Netflix docu-series, MOURINHO.

Carneiro and Mourinho were involved in a highly publicized dispute that began in 2015 during Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Swansea City. In that season’s opener, Eden Hazard went down injured in the dying embers of the game and referee Michael Oliver waved for medical staff to attend to the Belgian winger.

The Gibraltarian doctor and chief physiotherapist Jon Fearn entered the pitch and treated Hazard. This forced the Blues’ star man to leave the field before play could resume but the hosts were already down to 10 men following Thibaut Courtois’ sending off.

This meant Mourinho’s troops would have to see the game, which finished 2-2, out with just nine players and it inevitably left the Portuguese coach fuming. He vented his frustrations at Carneiro, with footage appearing to show him directing profanities in Portuguese at the physio once she returned to the bench.

Mourinho and Terry Recall Carneiro Clash

terry mourinho

Carneiro and Mourinho’s relationship soured and eventually she was stripped of matchday and first-team duties, banned from training and staying in the team hotel. A few weeks later, she officially parted ways with the Premier League club but that wasn’t the last of a lengthy ordeal.

The 52-year-old launched legal proceedings against Chelsea, claiming she was forced to resign, while making a claim against Mourinho for sex discrimination and harassment. An employment tribunal took place in June 2016 and the club issued an apology as the backlash against the West London outfit and their manager heightened.

Mourinho recalled his falling out with Carneiro in his new Netflix docu-series and he explained why he approached the situation with such anger:

“For me, a lady doctor is the same as a man’s doctor. So, as always, I use my vocabulary when I’m not happy. There are words in moments where the tension is very, very high. Normally, people with football culture, with football DNA, with football background, they go over it in one second. In that case, it was different.”

The newly-appointed Real Madrid boss added that he knew ‘when a player is not injured’ and that he knew Hazard ‘was not injured.’ His former Chelsea captain Terry defended him when interviewed for the docu-series:

“Medically, he would say unless it’s really, really bad, then they’re [the team doctors] not coming on. That was the understanding for us as players; the medical staff, everyone bought into that. It was a big moment obviously and he took a lot of backlash for that. There was a lot of heat on the football club.”

After the tribunal, Carneiro reached a confidential financial settlement with the club but she has now spoken out following the docu-series. She has condemned Mourinho and Terry’s assessments of the incident and advised them to ‘learn the rules of the game’.

Carneiro Fires Back at Ex-Chelsea Duo

Eva Carneiro on bench with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea Reuters / Andrew Couldridge

Carneiro’s first post on X lifted the lid on how she felt at the time and how she’s having to relive the incident again. She posted a picture of herself on the bench with the caption: “11 years on and here we are reliving the worst. Hope they made some money.”

The sports physician took umbrage with Terry’s comments, writing: “We are bound by a medico-legal code of conduct. Genuinely it would be healthy for John Terry to learn the rules of the game. It’s been long enough mate.”

Carneiro then posted a screenshot of rules stated by the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine. She delved into the incident and defended her role as a medical professional:

“So IT IS really simple. Referee Michael Oliver called us on TWICE, player Eden Hazard requested medical assistance we then made eye contact from side line and he confirmed he needed medical assistance, TWICE. At that point my hands are bound as a medical professional.”

Carneiro has looked to put the bust-up with Mourinho behind her, venturing into private medical practice, which includes practicing at private facilities, including in Harley Street, London. She also worked as a consultant at the 2022 World Cup and continues to be involved in football as a co-owner of Lewes FC, the first professional club to pay men and women equally.

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Man Utd Make Contact to Sign Ibrahim Mbaye

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Manchester United have made contact over a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye as they look to bolster their attack.

The Reds are in the market to improve their forward line further after they reached the Champions League for the first time since 2023, with Michael Carrick enjoying a strong pre-season despite question marks over the futures of Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford.

But the club are still keen to make more additions, despite spending over £200m last summer to bring in Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha, and the Senegalese forward has now emerged as a potential option.

According to a report by AS, United are understood to have made a formal enquiry to Paris Saint-Germain about a deal to bring Mbaye to Old Trafford.

The teenager, who has been described as a ‘phenomenon’, is expected to leave Paris this summer after growing frustrated at a lack of first-team football opportunities under Luis Enrique, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, and new signing Maghnes Akliouche all ahead of him in the pecking order.

It’s reported that PSG are demanding in excess of €50m (£42m) for the Senegal star, but with his contract due to expire in 2028, there may be room for negotiation.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Carrick’s side are understood to be looking at a number of positions before the transfer window closes. A new left-back is reportedly high up on their list of priorities, while a new central midfielder is also believed to be under consideration alongside a new forward.

So far under Carrick, Man Utd have used Patrick Dorgu as a left-winger regularly, rather than as a left-back, but a move for Mbaye would undoubtedly be a big upgrade in that position.

Mbaye a Huge Dorgu Upgrade

Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG) REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Dorgu’s best performances in a Man Utd shirt have come while playing in a more advanced position, but it’s quite evident that he has a lot of learning to do in that role if he wants to become a regular starter.

But with a left-back needed, a move to bring in Mbaye would allow him to move back to his more natural role, and bring in a truly exciting talent in attack who could provide quality depth and competition alongside the current forward options.

Mbaye has blistering pace, excellent trickery, but is also a great ball striker and has great creativity. With Champions League football to come, and a busier schedule, this could be a top signing for the squad and a shrewd bit of business for the club.

Ibrahim Mbaye Ligue 1 Stats 25/26

Appearancs

10(14)

Minutes

1002

Goals

3

Assists

2

Shots (per 90)

1

Key Passes (per 90)

0.8

Dribbles (per 90)

0.9

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 13/08/2026.

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Bradley Barcola Wants Liverpool Transfer As Personal Terms Close

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Bradley Barcola wants to join Liverpool this summer and personal terms are almost in place, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds have added to their attack ahead of the 2026/27 season with the addition of Victor Munoz from Osasuna, but fans are hoping for a statement signing in what remains of the window.

Liverpool go into the new term without Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian departed Anfield on a free transfer before signing for Turkish side Trabzonspor this month.

Andoni Iraola’s team do need to bring in a long-term replacement for the club legend and Barcola could potentially be the man to fill his boots with a Paris Saint-Germain exit a real possibility.

Clubs interested in the French international will have to stump up the money as the Champions League holders value their attacker around the £145m mark.

After finding himself in and out of the team last season, Barcola was an unused substitute for Wednesday evening’s 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup final.

“We’re working calmly, we don’t talk too much. I can’t say whether he will leave or not … Today, he is a PSG player. We’ll see.” – Nasser Al-Khelaifi on Bradley Barcola’s future

The 23-year-old did look disinterested during the post-match celebrations, with transfer expert Romano pointing out on his YouTube channel today that Barcola’s face very much speaks for itself with so much talking surrounding a move to Liverpool.

“If you look at Bradley Barcola, probably the story of the night in terms of transfers, is about the French winger because Barcola was not playing one single minute for Paris Saint-Germain,” said Romano when speaking on his YouTube channel. “And also if you look at Barcola’s face, it looks very clear that the player is probably thinking about leaving the club.

“It doesn’t mean that Barcola, eventually, if he will end up staying at Paris Saint Germain, I’m sure he’s going to be a super professional as always. But, as of today, while there is the chance to go to Liverpool, Bradley Barcola face is speaking for himself.

“The body language of Bradley Barcola looks very clear. Barcola was almost not even celebrating. Barcola wants to go to Liverpool, I told you several times. The personal terms are almost in place, it’s not a problem.”

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Barcola’s career in numbers

PSG

  • Appearances: 152
  • Goals: 39
  • Assists: 37

Lyon

  • Appearances: 47
  • Goals: 7
  • Assists: 12

France

  • Appearances: 28
  • Goals: 6
  • Assists: 3

PSG chairman gives Barcola transfer response

Bradley Barcola warms up before Paris Saint-Germain match REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

Barcola’s future is a big talking point at present given all the speculation surrounding his future.

Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi was asked about his player when speaking following the French side’s win over Aston Villa in the Super Cup.

However, he couldn’t give a definitive answer over Barcola’s future.

“We’re working calmly, we don’t talk too much,” Al-Khelaifi told Canal Plus. “I can’t say whether he will leave or not … Today, he is a PSG player. We’ll see.”

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