Jose Mourinho has expressed surprise at Jude Bellingham’s position in the final standings of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, questioning the midfielder’s 11th-place finish in the prestigious individual award.

According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday, November 1, 2026, the Portuguese tactician was particularly disappointed that the Real Madrid midfielder failed to secure a place among the top 10 players in the voting.

Mourinho shared his reaction during a pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Racing Santander on Sunday evening.

When asked about the outcome of the Ballon d’Or voting, the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager identified Bellingham’s position as the result that surprised him most.

“Regarding the Ballon d’Or voting, the thing that left me a bit surprised is the position of Jude Bellingham, who was eleventh. No further comments,” Mourinho said.

Bellingham’s ranking has generated attention, particularly following his impressive displays for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 23-year-old midfielder was among the Three Lions’ standout performers during the tournament, recording seven goals and one assist in eight appearances.

Despite his remarkable contribution, the England international could not secure a position inside the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings.

England captain Harry Kane eventually won the award, finishing ahead of France forward Kylian Mbappe, who occupied second place.

Bellingham’s 11th-place finish is likely to generate further debate about the voting process and how his performances during the assessment period were evaluated.

Although Mourinho declined to elaborate on his reaction, his brief comments made it clear that he expected the Real Madrid midfielder to finish considerably higher in the final standings.