Ligue 1
Why Doesn't Luis Enrique Care About the Ballon d'Or Despite PSG's 10 Nominees?
Not even ten nominees and the reigning winner can change Luis Enrique's priorities! The PSG coach brushed aside the Ballon d'Or ceremony, which will take place at the same time as his team's rescheduled Ligue 1 clash against Lyon.… Show More
Not even ten nominees and the reigning winner can change Luis Enrique's priorities! The PSG coach brushed aside the Ballon d'Or ceremony, which will take place at the same time as his team's rescheduled Ligue 1 clash against Lyon.
While the soccer world prepares for the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, Luis Enrique has something else on his mind: PSG's next match.
The Paris Saint-Germain coach showed little interest in the prestigious individual awards, even though the ceremony will feature a significant number of players from his own squad.
Asked about the event, the Spanish manager offered a remarkably short response.
"No, I'm not interested."
His reaction is particularly striking given that PSG have ten players nominated for the award, including reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé.
For Luis Enrique, however, the upcoming match against Lyon takes precedence.
Ten PSG nominees, but Luis Enrique has other priorities
PSG's strong representation at the Ballon d'Or could make the ceremony a memorable occasion for the French champions.
Among the nominees is Ousmane Dembélé, who enters the event as the reigning winner.
Yet Luis Enrique made it clear that his focus remains firmly on Monday's game.
Speaking to RMC Sport, the coach explained that he was concentrating on the upcoming fixture and had no objections to the schedule change if circumstances required it.
His position reflects a clear distinction between individual recognition and the immediate demands of managing his team.
Even with so many PSG players in contention, the Spanish coach is unwilling to let the awards ceremony distract from preparations.
Why was PSG vs. Lyon moved to Monday?
PSG's Ligue 1 meeting with Olympique Lyonnais was originally scheduled for Sunday evening.
However, Paris police authorities requested that the fixture be postponed because of large demonstrations expected across the French capital over the weekend.
Security considerations prompted the decision to move the match to Monday, creating a direct clash with the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London.
Luis Enrique accepted the change without complaint.
He pointed to the unusual circumstances surrounding Sunday, including an American football game and the broader security situation, while emphasizing that his team needed to be ready.
The coach also expressed confidence in the character his players have already demonstrated.
Another Ballon d'Or scheduling clash for PSG
This is not the first time PSG have found themselves playing while the Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place.
In 2025, the French champions faced Marseille on the same evening as the awards.
Now, a similar situation has emerged, with the Ligue 1 fixture against Lyon overlapping with another major night of individual recognition.
The timing is especially notable because PSG have ten nominees, giving the club a prominent presence at the ceremony.
Still, Luis Enrique's message remains unchanged: his attention belongs to the match, not the red carpet.
For Luis Enrique, the match comes first
- Little interest in the awards: Luis Enrique dismissed the Ballon d'Or ceremony and insisted his focus was on Monday's match.
- Ten PSG nominees: The French champions have a strong presence among the candidates, including reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé.
- A scheduling conflict: Security concerns in Paris forced PSG vs. Lyon to Monday, placing the game at the same time as the ceremony in London.
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