Former England international Joe Cole has described Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz as potentially the most underrated player of all time after the Spaniard helped inspire the French champions to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
Ruiz capped an impressive performance with a decisive goal in the 86th minute at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, securing three valuable points for PSG and prompting glowing praise from the former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder during his television analysis.
Cole believes Ruiz’s consistent performances, tactical intelligence and contribution to PSG’s success have not received the recognition they deserve, despite the midfielder establishing himself as an important figure under head coach Luis Enrique.
Reflecting on Ruiz’s late strike, Cole told TNT Sports: “They put it to bed. [He] could be the most underrated player of all time.”
The praise followed a dramatic encounter in which both teams repeatedly threatened to take control before PSG eventually secured victory with a late flourish.
Desire Doue opened the scoring for the hosts in the 38th minute, giving PSG the advantage after an entertaining first half. Barcelona responded through Xavi Espart, who equalised in the 55th minute to restore the contest’s balance.
The match then exploded into life during the closing stages, with both sides exchanging goals in a frantic spell.
Lucas Hernandez restored PSG’s lead in the 72nd minute, but Barcelona responded again when Lamine Yamal found the net seven minutes later to make it 2-2.
PSG quickly regained control through Vitinha, who scored in the 81st minute to put the hosts ahead for the third time. Ruiz then delivered the decisive blow five minutes later, finishing at the back post to establish a two-goal cushion and seal the 4-2 result.
For Cole, Ruiz’s contribution went beyond the goal that effectively settled the contest. The television pundit highlighted the midfielder’s achievements and importance to a PSG side that has enjoyed considerable success under Enrique.
“He’s won everything in the game, Champions League, does his job, always in. And what I would say is, they look a stronger side with him in,” Cole added.
Ruiz’s ability to operate in different midfield roles has made him a valuable component of PSG’s tactical structure. His composure in possession, movement between the lines and understanding of when to support attacks allow him to contribute without necessarily dominating the headlines.
Such qualities can make midfielders less conspicuous than prolific forwards, even when their performances have a significant influence on the outcome of matches.
Against Barcelona, Ruiz demonstrated his attacking threat by arriving in the right position to convert a late opportunity. His goal also underlined PSG’s ability to exploit spaces during the closing stages of a fiercely contested European encounter.
The 30-year-old joined PSG from Napoli in 2022 after developing his reputation in Italian football. Since arriving in Paris, he has become part of a squad built to compete for major domestic and continental honours.
His experience with Spain has further strengthened his credentials, giving him exposure to the demands of international football alongside the pressure of competing for trophies at club level.
Ruiz’s medal collection, as outlined in the original report, includes major domestic and European honours with PSG. His contribution to the club’s achievements has reinforced his standing within Enrique’s system, where technical quality, positional discipline and tactical adaptability are essential.
The midfielder’s influence is particularly important in matches against elite opposition, when control of the central areas can determine whether a team maintains possession, creates scoring opportunities or protects a narrow advantage.
Cole’s assessment therefore reflects a broader argument about the recognition given to players whose contributions are not always measured by goals and assists. While attacking stars often attract the greatest attention, midfielders who maintain balance and help their teams function effectively can be equally important to sustained success.
Ruiz’s decisive strike against Barcelona provided a timely reminder of his ability to contribute directly in the final third, adding a goal to the less visible work he performs throughout matches.
The victory also strengthened PSG’s position in the Champions League league phase as they continued their pursuit of European honours. For Barcelona, the defeat represented a setback, leaving the Spanish side needing a positive response in their subsequent fixtures.
PSG will return to domestic action against Lyon on October 25, while Barcelona are scheduled to face Real Madrid in El Clasico on the same day.
Ruiz will be hoping to carry his performance into the upcoming fixtures as PSG seek to maintain their momentum across competitions.
For Cole, however, the message was already clear. Ruiz’s importance to PSG extends well beyond his latest goal, and his consistent influence in midfield deserves greater recognition than he has traditionally received..
