Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has made a bold claim for football's most prestigious individual award. In a press conference reported by RMC Sport Football this Wednesday, the Spanish coach stated that the next Ballon d'Or winner must be a Paris Saint-Germain player.
Why is Luis Enrique making this statement
This strong stance comes on the eve of Ligue 1's third matchday and the clash against AS Monaco. Luis Enrique used this platform to defend the quality of his squad and outline his ambitions for the season. The Parisian club approaches this fixture with a slightly altered squad, notably missing midfielder João Neves, who is currently sidelined. The injury situation can be tracked on our injuries page.
What is the Paris Saint-Germain transfer market context
The departure of French winger Bradley Barcola was also discussed. Luis Enrique was keen to praise the former Parisian. "Barcola grew up in Paris and he helped the team grow, I wish him the best," said the coach. This transfer, mentioned as a potential record fee for a French player, is part of a busy summer 2026 transfer window. Paris Saint-Germain is not the only active club, with Olympique de Marseille also heavily involved in the market.
How is Ligue 1's economic situation shaping up
The financial landscape of the French championship remains a topic of discussion. Ligue 1's TV rights and the general economic situation of clubs influence sporting strategies. Limits, such as agent commissions capped at 10% in France according to remarks by Satin cited in the report, frame transactions. For clubs like LOSC or Paris FC, a candidate for European qualification, budget management is a constant balance between sporting ambitions and financial realities.
What other current topics were addressed
The press conference also touched on broader themes beyond the match. The use of VAR and refereeing in general, supported by figures like referee Benoît Bastien, were mentioned. Also, critical voices have been raised about modern football, exemplified by former international Christophe Dugarry who recently stated: "Today's football is vomit-inducing." Finally, the past altercation between former player Orlando Gill and Kylian Mbappé resurfaced, reminding us of the tensions that can exist.
Paris Saint-Germain now focuses on this weekend's encounter. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page. The Parisian squad, whose composition is evolving, can be viewed on the squad page. Luis Enrique's Ballon d'Or declaration adds an extra layer of expectation on individual and collective performances for the coming months, in a season where every league point counts in the title race.
