Football legend David Silva has delivered a scorching take, declaring Barcelona's dominance in La Liga virtually insurmountable for Real Madrid. But his opinions don't stop there. The former Manchester City maestro has also dropped a bombshell Ballon d'Or prediction, while backing PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz as his surprise choice for the Ballon d’Or.
Key Points:
- Silva Backs Barcelona: The former Manchester City star believes Real Madrid will struggle to catch Barcelona if Hansi Flick’s side maintain their high level.
- El Clasico Could Shape Title Race: Barcelona hold a six-point lead over Real Madrid ahead of their October 25 showdown.
- Fabian Ruiz for Ballon d’Or: Silva favours the PSG midfielder, pointing to his impressive trophy haul and consistent performances.
- Spanish Stars Deserve Recognition: Silva also highlighted Spain’s talent pool, saying Rodri would have been another contender had he not already won the award.
David Silva Warns Real Madrid Over Barcelona’s La Liga Form
David Silva believes Barcelona could prove difficult to catch in the La Liga title race, particularly if they continue performing at their current level under Hansi Flick. With Barcelona holding a six-point advantage over Real Madrid ahead of their October 25 El Clasico clash, Silva praised the Catalan club’s tactical progress and recruitment.
Speaking on the radio programme El Partidazo, he suggested their rivals could struggle to close the gap. “If Barça continues like this, it’s impossible,” Silva said, adding that the team had been performing at a high level for several years under Flick and had strengthened its squad well.
However, the former Spain international warned against writing off Real Madrid. He pointed to their quality across the squad and said they could still challenge for the title if they remained within reach until the closing stages of the season.
Silva Names Fabian Ruiz as His Ballon d’Or Favourite
Silva also revealed his pick for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, choosing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz over more widely discussed candidates such as Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane. Silva explained that team success should carry significant weight in individual awards, but singled out Ruiz for his achievements over the past two years.
“For me, the collective takes precedence because otherwise, you couldn’t win. But okay, if I had to give it to someone, it would be to Fabian, because in the last two years he is the one who has won the most titles,” he said.
The former Manchester City playmaker believes Ruiz’s contributions and collection of honours make him a worthy contender, even if he has received less attention than some of football’s biggest names.
Why Silva Believes Fabian Ruiz Deserves More Recognition
Ruiz has played an important role for both PSG and Spain, earning major honours at club and international level. Silva praised the midfielder’s influence and consistency, arguing that his performances have not received the recognition they deserve.
“He has been important at PSG and then in the national team. Not much importance is given to him, I don’t know why, because he is a great player,” Silva said. “I like him a lot and quietly he has done an incredible job.”
Silva’s choice reflects his emphasis on collective achievements and the contribution of players who may not always dominate individual award discussions.
Silva Also Highlights Spain’s Golden Generation
Silva also mentioned Rodri as another player who would have featured among his Ballon d’Or choices. However, the Manchester City midfielder has already won the award, leaving Silva to put forward Ruiz instead. His comments underline the strength of Spain’s current generation, with several players making significant contributions for their clubs and the national team.
As the Ballon d’Or race draws closer, Silva’s endorsement adds another voice to the debate over whether individual awards should prioritise standout performances, team trophies or a combination of both.
