PSG Trio Interview Part Two: Fabian Ruiz Is Like Busquets, a 'Football Blind Spot Filter'

On September 11 Beijing time, The Athletic published an extensive interview with Paris Saint-Germain trio Ousmane Dembele, Fabian Ruiz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The following is the second part of the interview.

Fabian Ruiz was born in Los Palacios y Villafranca, south of Seville. According to a local tradition, whenever he wins a title with Spain, he receives tomatoes weighing the same as his body weight — he has now received this gift three times.

After winning the World Cup, Ruiz received 85 kilograms of tomatoes; his teammate Gavi, who is also from Los Palacios y Villafranca, received 68.5 kilograms.

“Honestly, the amount is really huge and I could never eat them all myself,” he said. “I shared them with my family and friends. This is recognition for us and for everyone in the town, because the tomatoes from Los Palacios are very famous. They taste amazing, and I am very grateful to my hometown people for sending us tomatoes.”

The 30-year-old Ruiz carries a sense of authority. Beside the lively Kvaratskhelia and easygoing Dembele, he is like an older brother. During the interview, the three used different languages: Ruiz spoke Spanish, Kvaratskhelia spoke English, and Dembele spoke French.

Ruiz joined PSG from Napoli in the summer of 2022. At the time, Qatar chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi publicly said in an interview with Le Parisien that he no longer wanted “flashy, show-off players” and that it was time to move away from glamorous gimmicks, with the club instead focusing more on developing talent.

The following year, Luis Enrique took charge, and Ruiz said the players adapted well to the coaching ideas and style of their compatriot. Last week, Ruiz and Enrique both renewed their contracts with PSG, with the new deals lasting until 2028 (including a one-year extension option) and 2030 respectively.

Asked about Ruiz's role in the team, Dembele replied: “He is an incredible player. With him in the team, we can win every trophy. He is very special, he always stays calm on the pitch and controls the rhythm of the game. He is one of the most underrated players in football.”

Kvaratskhelia nodded in agreement and praised Ruiz's football intelligence: “He is extremely underrated. His understanding of football is incredible. People said about Sergio Busquets that when you watch a game you do not notice Busquets, but when you watch Busquets you understand the game. Fabian is the same. You may not focus on him, but his understanding of the game, his ability to control matches... his sense of rhythm is on another level.”

Following their excellent performances last season, all three are among the leading contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or. The 30-player shortlist was announced this week, and the ceremony will take place on October 26.

Dembele is the current holder of the award. Has his life changed significantly since winning it?

“I don't think my life has changed much because of it, although winning it was an incredible thing,” he said. “When you are young, you dream of winning this kind of individual honor — but it was not something I absolutely had to achieve, nor was I obsessed with it. But when Ronaldinho presented me with the trophy, the feeling was unbelievable. I was proud of myself, my family and everyone who had been with me along the way. They were all so happy for me. It was a unique moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

In an interview with France Football this week, Dembele said he believed this year's Ballon d'Or favorites included Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, but added: “I think the award will ultimately still belong to a Paris Saint-Germain player.”

With 10 PSG players included on this year's Ballon d'Or shortlist, do the players pay attention to it? Is it discussed in the dressing room?

“Sometimes we talk about it,” Kvaratskhelia replied. “When I first arrived here, we won every honor, and Ousmane also won the Ballon d'Or. I joked with him that I came here to help him win the Ballon d'Or and the Champions League.”

Does he now imagine himself winning the Ballon d'Or?

“If you ask every player, we actually do not care too much about individual honors. Individual awards are built on team success,” the 25-year-old Kvaratskhelia said. “As for who wins the Ballon d'Or, that is the judges' job.”

Kvaratskhelia is a retro-style winger with outstanding dribbling ability. Since joining PSG in January 2025, he has been one of the team's key players. Before that, he played a crucial role at Napoli, helping the club win the Serie A title again after 33 years, and he still has strong feelings for the club.

It was during his time in southern Italy that Kvaratskhelia began wearing low socks, which has become one of his trademark styles.

“It was my Napoli debut, and I started getting cramps after playing 35 minutes,” he explained. “Because it was my first game, I may have been a little nervous. I usually wore my socks high like everyone else. At that time, I thought lowering them might help with the cramps. Then I scored, and I felt it might be a good sign, so I have worn them this way ever since.”

Another of his trademark features is his celebration. How did it come about?

“It came from basketball. Achraf and I played NBA games together, and one day I told him that if I scored, I would do this celebration because many NBA players celebrate this way,” he said. “I have used it ever since.”

One of Kvaratskhelia's highlights at PSG was his brilliant solo goal against Aston Villa in last season's Champions League quarter-final.

“I think that was his best goal at PSG,” Dembele said while watching the clip. “The way he dribbled past defenders was unbelievable.”

“Just like Ousmane!” Kvaratskhelia replied. “He can use both feet.”

In addition, Kvaratskhelia made another key contribution: he came off the bench and scored twice against Chelsea in last season's Champions League, ending the suspense of the match. “I think this goal and the one against Villa are difficult to separate,” Dembele said. “He has scored many great goals, especially in the Champions League.”

PSG have recently had an excellent record against Premier League teams in European competitions, and in this season's Champions League league phase they were drawn into a group containing Manchester City and Aston Villa. What is the special reason behind their success?

“I don't think there is any secret. We respect every opponent, but on the pitch we just want to control the situation,” Kvaratskhelia explained.