Luis Enrique backs PSG players for Ballon d’Or and questions Desire Doue omission

Luis Enrique says Paris Saint-Germain hope one of their players wins the Ballon d’Or, but declined to select a specific candidate ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 meeting with Marseille.

The Paris Saint-Germain manager said the club had no formal strategy regarding the award, despite having 10 players included among the 30 nominees.

“Our strategy is to win the important matches. That is our strategy,” said the Spanish coach. “We have not decided anything as a club. We are happy to have 10 players among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or.”

Asked whether he had a preferred candidate, Enrique avoided committing himself but made clear he would welcome the award going to a member of his squad.

“If we had the possibility of making the decision, perhaps we would also have included Desire Doue on the list,” he said. “Why was Doue not nominated? We always defend our players. We deserve to see the Ballon d’Or go to one of our players.”

He added: “As a club, we hope that one of the Paris Saint-Germain players wins it. We are trying to protect our players.”

Doue has made a strong impression on Enrique this season and has regularly been included in the starting line-up.

“Doue is an amazing player, and it is wonderful to have someone with that mentality,” said Enrique. “He started as a starter, and I believe he has started most of our matches at the beginning of the season. I am happy with what I am seeing from him.”

Enrique wary of Marseille test

Paris Saint-Germain will face Marseille in a fixture where Enrique believes there is no clear favourite, despite his side’s position.

“There are no favourites, especially when you are playing a clasico,” he said. “We are used to seeing teams expected to win and then losing their matches.”

Enrique also assessed Paris Saint-Germain’s performance in their most recent match against Brest. He said it was not their worst display, but was the least convincing of four recent games.

“After analysing last week’s match against Brest, I have to say one thing: it was not our worst game, but it was the lowest-quality performance of the four matches we played,” he said.

“Against Monaco, we played a great match and lost. In Rennes and Lille, we deserved more. The Brest game was the least good, but that was also because they played very well. That is the analysis I can give.”

Marseille have changed manager and seen several players leave, meaning Enrique expects a difficult contest under Bruno Genesio.

“Can I send a message to Bruno Genesio? I cannot wish him good luck on Sunday because he is the opposing manager,” said Enrique. “I can wish him good luck in the future, but not on Sunday.

“We will have a complicated match against Marseille. They have changed their manager and many players have left, so we must be ready for every scenario.”