Declan Rice makes Ballon d’Or admission as Arsenal enter title run-in

Arsenal title charge intensifies as Declan Rice shifts focus from Ballon d’Or talk to silverware ambitions.

Declan Rice has played down growing Ballon d’Or speculation by insisting his only priority is delivering trophies for Arsenal as the club enter the decisive phase of their title charge.

As Arsenal’s title run-in accelerates, Declan Rice’s Ballon d’Or ambitions have been pushed firmly into the background. The 27-year-old midfielder made it clear that team success comes before individual recognition as Mikel Arteta’s side chase an unprecedented quadruple.

Buy Arsenal's 2025–26 Home Kit through the ArsenalTalks Shop

Click this link to buy the new 2025–26 Arsenal home kit through our ArsenalTalks Shop.

Since arriving from West Ham in 2023 for a club-record £105 million, Rice has become the emotional and tactical heartbeat of Arteta’s system. His leadership, consistency, and defensive intelligence have turned him into one of the most influential midfielders in Europe.

This season alone, Rice has featured 38 times across all competitions as Arsenal pursue silverware on four fronts — the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League table, have reached the Champions League last-16, remain alive in the FA Cup, and will face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

“Team First, Always” — Rice Responds to Ballon d’Or Talk

Speaking to The Sun, Rice addressed growing claims that he could be a future Ballon d’Or contender.

“It’s unreal, obviously. You want to be involved in those conversations,” he said.
“But you see the recent Ballon d’Or winners and what they’ve won during their season.
“Hopefully we can have a successful season and I can be involved in those conversations. That would be amazing.
“If not, that’s not something I’m setting my eye on. I really want the team to do well first.”

Rather than chasing headlines, Rice’s mentality reflects Arteta’s wider culture shift — collective success over individual acclaim.

Arsenal’s first chance to end their trophy drought arrives on 22 March at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

For Rice, the importance of the occasion is clear.

“I’m buzzing. It’s everything we’ve been working towards,” he added.
>“It’s the first trophy that’s up for grabs.
>“It’s a momentum builder — you win that, and it carries into the Premier League run-in.”

The midfielder views the final not just as silverware, but as a psychological springboard for the league title push.

Pressure, Progress and Mentality Shift

Arsenal’s last major trophy came in 2020. Since then, near-misses and collapses have raised questions about mentality under pressure.

This season feels different.

Rice’s leadership, alongside figures like Ødegaard and Saliba, has transformed the squad’s resilience. The structure is stronger. The belief is stronger. The mentality is elite.

This is no longer a “project” — it’s a title machine.

Rice will also represent England at the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer, but his mindset remains consistent across club and country: trophies first, accolades second.

For Arsenal, that mentality could prove decisive.

If silverware arrives, the individual honours will follow naturally.

Want more Arsenal updates? Visit our homepage.