The nomination of Julián Quiñones for the Ballon d’Or 2026 has sparked an intense debate about the evaluation criteria for this prestigious award. Quiñones, a forward for Al-Qadisiya and a key player for the Mexican National Team, has faced criticism from Samuel Umtiti, the 2018 World Cup champion with France, who questions the legitimacy of his candidacy.
Quiñones’ inclusion on the candidate list was celebrated in Mexico, where it is considered a significant achievement. However, Umtiti has raised doubts about his merit by stating: “They include Julián Quiñones, but what did he do in the World Cup? Four goals for Mexico and eliminated in the round of 16. When I saw that, I wondered if it was a joke.” These statements, echoed in various media, have placed the Mexican player at the center of a broader discussion about the real meaning of the Ballon d’Or.
For Umtiti, the essence of the award has deteriorated, claiming that it is now based on striker statistics that do not always reflect “collective greatness.” By mentioning Quiñones in the same context as established players like Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, or Vinícius, he argues that the nomination is a symptom of a less rigorous criterion in the evaluation of the best footballers in the world.
Despite the criticism, Quiñones’ nomination is backed by his outstanding performance during the season, where he accumulated 33 goals in 31 matches in the Saudi League and was the top Mexican scorer in the 2026 World Cup, with 4 goals in 5 matches. These achievements make him the sixth Mexican to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or, a feat celebrated by many in his country.
The controversy surrounding Quiñones’ nomination also reflects a broader dilemma in football: the contrast between the importance of individual achievements and collective titles. While in Europe the focus tends to center on success in major leagues, in Mexico recognition is given to players who have excelled on the international stage.
The discussion surrounding the Ballon d’Or is not limited to Quiñones, as Umtiti has also criticized Kylian Mbappé, who named himself the favorite to win the award, suggesting that individual prominence has permeated current sports. This situation highlights the constant tension between different perspectives in global football, where individual achievements and collective titles are constantly debated.
Source: www.infobae.com
