{
  "id": 4218001,
  "title": "Mourinho questions Ballon d’Or criteria, says trophies shouldn’t decide winner",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-questions-ballon-dor-criteria-says-trophies-shouldnt-decide-4218001",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T15:32:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/mourinho-questions-ballon-dor-criteria-says-trophies-shouldnt-decide-winner/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid coach José Mourinho has expressed his doubts about the current criteria for bestowing the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Speaking ahead of a LaLiga match against Málaga, Mourinho argued that the prize should not be awarded solely based on a player winning the Champions League or World Cup. Instead, he suggested that the Ballon d’Or should be given to those whose impact on the game remains unforgettable even after their playing days have ended.\n\nMourinho maintained that the award should be given to a select group of players who have made an enduring mark on the sport. He mentioned a dozen top-level players, out of which only three or four are deserving contenders. The coach cited legendary figures like Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and Lothar Matthäus as players he misses, emphasizing that these players have left an indelible mark on the game.\n\nMourinho further stressed that victories in major team tournaments should not automatically qualify a player for the award. He questioned the notion of giving the Ballon d’Or to a manager like Luis Enrique for winning the Champions League, and proposed that the award for a manager should go to someone like De la Fuente, who led the Spanish national team to greater heights. According to Mourinho, recognising the world's best player is a separate consideration from rewarding the best team manager.\n\nThe Portuguese coach also hinted at the possibility of political factors influencing the decision-making process for the Ballon d’Or. While acknowledging that politics could play a role, Mourinho expressed a preference for a more objective and individualistic approach to the award. He concluded his statement by reaffirming his stance on what the ultimate criteria for the Ballon d’Or should be, emphasizing that the best player should be judged on their individual contribution to the sport.",
  "summary": "José Mourinho challenges Ballon d’Or criteria, arguing individual impact, not team trophies, should decide the winner. Read his full statement. Read More: https://punchng.com/mourinho-questions-ballon-dor-criteria-says-trophies-shouldnt-decide-winner/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Mourinho says Mbappe worthy of Ballon d’Or",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-says-mbappe-worthy-of-ballon-dor-4202338",
        "published": "2026-08-29T12:55:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘If politics gets involved, I do not like that’: Jose Mourinho on Ballon d’Or",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/if-politics-gets-involved-i-do-not-like-that-jose-mourinho-on-ballon",
        "published": "2026-08-29T13:09:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Mourinho says Mbappe worthy of Ballon d'Or",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-says-mbappe-worthy-of-ballon-dor",
        "published": "2026-08-29T13:14:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Mourinho says Mbappe worthy of Ballon d’Or",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-says-mbappe-worthy-of-ballon-dor-4224752",
        "published": "2026-08-29T14:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Mourinho questions Ballon d’Or criteria, says trophies shouldn’t decide winner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-questions-ballon-dor-criteria-says-trophies-shouldnt-decide",
        "published": "2026-08-29T15:08:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}