Felix Magath backs Marc Cucurella to win Ballon d’Or ahead of Rodri and Fabian Ruiz

Felix Magath has put Marc Cucurella at the top of his Ballon d’Or selections, placing the Real Madrid full-back ahead of Rodri and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

The former Bayern Munich manager selected three players from the Spain national team in his top three, with Rodri in second place and Ruiz third. His choices were reported by German newspaper Bild.

Magath said Cucurella’s performances at left-back had earned him the leading position. The 28-year-old was praised for combining defensive strength and physical ability with an effective contribution in attack, qualities which Magath believes have made him an important member of the Spain squad.

“He is a world-class player at left-back, always present, strong in running and rarely fails in a tackle,” Magath said of the Real Madrid player.

The German coach also highlighted Cucurella’s role in Spain’s World Cup triumph, saying that contribution had strengthened his belief that the defender deserved football’s most prestigious individual award.

According to Magath, Cucurella’s main quality is his ability to balance his defensive responsibilities with his attacking duties. He helps maintain his team’s organisation at the back while continuing to support the build-up and move forward when opportunities arise.

Rodri and Fabian Ruiz

Rodri was Magath’s second choice. The Barcelona player was described as the driving force of Spain’s midfield because of his role in controlling the game, linking the different areas of the team and dictating the tempo.

Magath’s third selection was Fabian Ruiz, the 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain player. The coach praised Ruiz for the balance and stability he provides within the Spain team.

He said Ruiz was highly important to the side’s overall structure and also pointed to his success in winning the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.

Magath believes Ruiz’s achievements, together with the level of his performances, justify his inclusion among the three best players in the world. His list therefore places three Spain internationals above the likes of Kylian Mbappe in the Ballon d’Or discussion.